Craig Jones reveals how Ian Garry can neutralise Makhachev's grappling at UFC 330

Craig Jones, the Australian grappling coach who has previously game-planned against Islam Makhachev for both Alexander Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena, has outlined a specific defensive framework he believes Ian Garry must employ when the two meet at UFC 330 on 15 August at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with the UFC welterweight title on the line.

In a video posted to the B-Team YouTube channel, Jones focused on Makhachev’s single-leg entries, arguing that the champion’s danger lies not in a straightforward drive but in how deep he can get with his elbow — pulling the captured leg toward his body while simultaneously closing the distance with his hips. Jones contends this technique has overwhelmed several of Makhachev’s past opponents and will be the central threat Garry (17-1) must solve against the Russian champion (28-1), who enters the bout as a heavy favourite.

Jones identified a natural tendency in Garry’s game that he believes works in the Irishman’s favour: keeping his free foot on the inside when defending takedowns. Jones compared the positioning to a defensive concept associated with former UFC champion B.J. Penn, noting that the placement can effectively function as a butterfly hook if Makhachev does complete a takedown, giving Garry a built-in recovery mechanism from the bottom.

However, Jones was careful to flag the trade-offs. While the inside foot creates a stronger defensive frame, it simultaneously opens avenues for Makhachev to attack the ankle or manipulate the framing leg — a vulnerability the Dagestani champion is more than capable of exploiting at the highest level.

The analysis carries particular weight given Jones’s direct experience studying Makhachev’s wrestling system. His work with Volkanovski ahead of their two lightweight title fights, and more recently with Della Maddalena, means Jones has spent considerable time identifying the precise mechanical details that make the champion so difficult to keep off the mat.

Makhachev has held the UFC lightweight title and now campaigns at welterweight, where Garry has emerged as the leading contender. The UFC 330 main event represents one of the most technically anticipated matchups of the year, with Garry’s striking credentials pitted against a champion whose ground game remains the benchmark in mixed martial arts.