Islam Makhachev vs Ian Garry bet builder tips, predictions and odds: UFC 330 preview

Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry face off in the main attraction of Saturday’s UFC 330 show in Philadelphia.

Russian Makhachev steps into the octagon as the current Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight ruler. One of the UFC’s most decorated and successful fighters, it’s no surprise to see Islam chalked up as the pre-fight favourite with all major UKGC bookmakers. 

Will Makhachev live up to expectations and deliver another stunning win?

Standing in his way is challenger Garry. The 28-year-old fighting out of Dublin, Ireland, may be an underdog with bookmakers, pundits, and many respected voices, but ‘The Future’ is here on merit. 

Will Ian rip up the script, dethrone the champion, and return to his homeland as a household name? Former professional boxer turned trusted sports betting analyst Frank Monkhouse offers his Makhachev vs Garry preview and predictions to TalkSPORT readers.

Free Makhachev vs Garry bet builder tips, odds and prediction: The Gypsy King is hot favourite

UFC 330 comes from the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with the most interesting bouts broadcast live on TNT Sports. 

Saturday will be the UFC’s fourth visit to Philly, following previous success at Barboza vs Gaethje and UFC 133. Organisers are confident UFC 330 will be the best yet.

A stacked fight card and preliminary card boast two championship bouts, with Makhachev vs Garry joining Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson in the women’s strawweight division.

Keep reading as I combine my passions for combat sports, betting, and fight-game stats to create my Makhachev vs Garry bet builder tips, predictions, and odds.

Date, start time and where to watch the match

• Date: Sunday, 16 August 2026
• Time: 04:30 BST
• Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, USA
• Where to watch: TNT Sports

Bet builder tips

In this section, I reveal my Makhachev vs Garry betting tips.

You can read my preview, follow your favourite predictions and gamble using your mobile or laptop at any of the legal sportsbooks featured on this page. Those looking for greater odds can add several picks to a Makhachev vs Garry bet builder or weekend sports accumulator.

With the action broadcast on TV and live streaming apps, an exciting night of championship mixed martial arts awaits. Let’s make it pay.

• Makhachev win – 3/10 with Sky Bet
• Over 4.5 rounds – 8/13 with Sky Bet
• Makhachev win on points – 11/8 with Sky Bet

Makhachev vs Garry prediction

Makhachev win

Traders working at Sky Bet price a victory for Makhachev as the most likely outcome here, and having studied the numbers, I find it difficult to argue.

The Russian fighter arrives with a professional MMA record of 28 wins and 1 defeat. The only blot on his copybook was a knockout defeat to Leo Kuntz at UFC 192 in Houston, Texas. He had no problems bouncing back and quickly got his career on track with points victories in Texas and New York.

Makhachev has won his last 16 starts, beating three of his last five opponents inside the distance, with the other two wins coming on points. Islam is a warrior with confidence and a clear vision for what comes next. Even at 34 years old, there’s still plenty of improvement and big nights to come.

When backing Makhachev to beat Garry, the method of victory isn’t important, with a first-round win paying the same as a points victory. Every £100 staked on Makhachev returns a £30 profit, and that’ll be popular with UFC bettors.

Bet on Makhachev to win at 3/10 with Sky Bet

Over 4.5 rounds

My second Makhachev vs Garry prediction is for the bout to last more than 4.5 rounds. The winner doesn’t matter here. As long as the contest remains live at the halfway point of the fourth round, your bet wins. 

Let’s look at Islam’s recent form. In his previous five bouts, three have gone the five-round distance. That run includes a points win over Jack Della Madalena last time out on UFC 322 in New York, and the fifth-round submission of Dustin Poirier on UFC 302 in New Jersey.

Switching to Ian’s form, we see that each of his last five went the distance. In that period, Garry won four times on points and lost once to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in Las Vegas. Digging deeper, we see that each of Garry’s last six went the distance, meaning he hasn’t finished an opponent early since May 2023 in North Carolina.

Place a £65 bet on Makhachev vs Garry to go beyond 4.5 rounds, and you’ll secure a £40 profit. That strikes me as another worthwhile gamble.

Bet on over 4.5 rounds at 8/13 with Sky Bet

Makhachev win on points

My third and final prediction on Saturday’s UFC welterweight title fight is a points win for Makhachev.

This one comes with the most attractive odds of the three, but also the highest risk. To secure a profit and boost your betting balance this weekend, you need Makhachev to win, and he must do so on points. 

Victory by submission or knockout means your bet loses. A win for the underdog would also lead to the bookies settling your bet as a loser and keeping your stake. Thankfully, the odds make this one worth the risk.

Did you know that Garry’s last defeat came on points in a welterweight title eliminator? It’s also worth remembering that Makhachev’s last outing produced a unanimous points decision win. Both results offer encouragement to my followers, and I’m confident that we’ll get a strong run for our money on fight night.

Place a £40 bet on Makhachev beating Garry on points, and you’ll land a £55 profit. The odds and stats make this a good bet.

Bet on Makhachev to win on points at 11/8 with Sky Bet

How to place this Makhachev vs Garry bet builder

Here is my simple step-by-step guide to placing a bet builder on Makhachev vs Garry in Philly. You can follow this using your mobile or laptop.

1. Open your betting account or register with one of our sportsbook partners.
2. Select Sports> UFC> Makhachev vs Garry.
3. Research the pre-bout markets and click the odds attached to your picks.
4. Visit your bet slip and add your selections.
5. Add a stake to the bet builder field, check, and confirm.

Stats that matter for your bet

Here are some Makhachev vs Garry stats to consider before parting with your hard-earned cash to bet on this UFC battle.

• Makhachev won his last five on points.
• Garry’s last taste of defeat was on the scorecards
• Three of Islam’s last 5 bouts went 5 rounds.
• Ian’s last six fights went the distance.
• Makhachev is unbeaten since 2015.

Last 5 fights: Islam Makhachev

Last 5 fights: Ian Garry

Why we are backing this bet builder

The form and stats attached to this weekend’s UFC welterweight title fight tell fans to expect another thriller.

Neither fighter has been particularly active in recent times, meaning I don’t expect either to come flying out of the traps and take this fight by the scruff of the neck.

Instead, the opening rounds will be tactical, with Makhachev and Garry eager to score shots and then take their opponent to the floor. It’ll be a battle of wills, rather than a test of strength.

I predict a long night, and with Makhachev winning on points last time, and Garry’s last five also going the distance, I have high hopes.

Odds for the Makhachev vs Garry

• Makhachev win – 3/10 with Sky Bet
• Draw – 40/1 with Sky Bet
• Garry win – 12/5 with Sky Bet

Odds are correct at the time of writing. 

Please remember that UFC betting odds are subject to change. 

The price you see when placing your bet may differ from the price that was trading when I wrote my preview.

Who is the favourite to win?

All of the UKGC-licensed bookmakers displayed on this page pick Makhachev as the fighter most likely to win.

About the author

Frank Monkhouse

Frank is a former professional boxer at the renowned TKO Gym in London who has transitioned his career into sports betting writing. He has worked with some of the leading names in the industry, including world-renowned bookmakers and ambitious affiliates. A student of the formbook, he leans heavily on the stats and trends to help find readers the value.

Follow Frank on X: @FMonkhouse

Frank Monkhouse LinkedIn

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