MMA Hub Fight breakdowns & combat sports analysis — No fluff, just fight IQ Footwork Triggers and Takedown Denials: The Blueprint for Makhachev vs. Garry Fight Breakdown July 30, 2025 This 170-pound title fight comes down to a high-stakes game of distance and timing. Islam Makhachev is a southpaw who loves to walk guys down behind a heavy lead hand and a tight guard. He doesn't just shoot from out in the open; he uses his boxing to hide his reactive level changes. For Makhachev to take this fight over, he needs to cross the distance, get his hands inside Garry's clinch frames, and drag him to the fence where he can use his upper-body locks to force the fight to the mat. Ian Machado Garry has a massive four-inch reach advantage, but that length only matters if he keeps his feet moving. Garry cannot afford to get stuck in straight-line retreats, or he will walk himself right into the ...