Conor McGregor, recovering from ACL surgery, has made a bold prediction ahead of the highly anticipated UFC 330 main event between reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and rising star Ian Machado Garry. Despite Makhachev being heavily favored by bookmakers, McGregor believes Garry will pull off a stunning upset. His comments were shared through a video posted on social media, where he expressed confidence in Garry’s ability to secure a victory. McGregor emphasized Garry’s strengths, including his long reach and solid performance at SBG, and suggested a potential finish via a high kick to the head. While many analysts expect Makhachev to dominate, McGregor’s prediction adds another layer of intrigue to the matchup. The bout took place on Saturday, drawing widespread attention from fans and commentators alike. Makhachev entered the fight with a 28-1 record and a 16-fight winning streak, having defeated notable opponents such as Arman Tsarukyan, Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier. Garry, meanwhile, boasted a 17-1 record with 10 consecutive wins in the UFC, including victories over Belal Muhammad, Michael “Venom” Page, and Geoff Neal. Despite these accomplishments, Garry had yet to face a fighter of Makhachev’s caliber. The odds reflected this disparity, with Makhachev listed as a -350 favorite on FanDuel, indicating a perceived likelihood of his dominance. Following the fight, UFC commentator Joe Rogan speculated that a victory for Makhachev might lead to his retirement, echoing the path taken by his former training partner, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Rogan noted that Makhachev, now 34 years old, has achieved success in two different weight classes and could follow Nurmagomedov’s footsteps by stepping away from competition. If Makhachev were to retire, the UFC would need to identify a new welterweight champion. Rogan suggested that Carlos Prates, currently ranked No. 1 in the welterweight division, and Morales, ranked No. 3, could be prime candidates for the title. After Makhachev secured a unanimous decision victory over Garry, Prates issued a direct challenge to the champion. A video surfaced showing Prates vowing to defeat Makhachev and claim the welterweight title for Brazil. Prates, who has a 24-7-0 record, has been on a three-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming against Jack Della Maddalena. However, his previous loss was to Garry, who had previously defeated him earlier in the year. Despite this setback, Prates remains a formidable threat, with 19 knockouts in his career and a belief that he could replicate that success against Makhachev. Makhachev himself acknowledged Prates as a potential future opponent, stating that he believed Prates was more deserving of a title shot compared to other contenders. He also mentioned that he wanted to fight sooner rather than later, citing his age as a factor in his decision-making process. This sentiment aligns with Rogan’s suggestion that Makhachev might be considering retirement after his upcoming bout. The UFC’s matchmaking committee will ultimately decide whether Prates receives the opportunity to challenge for the title, but the prospect of a showdown between Makhachev and Prates has generated considerable interest within the MMA community. As the welterweight division continues to evolve, the outcome of Makhachev’s next fight will play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of the division. With Prates emerging as a prominent figure and Makhachev potentially contemplating his future in the sport, the stage is set for a compelling chapter in UFC history. The upcoming matchup promises to test both fighters’ abilities and determine the direction of the welterweight title moving forward.
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