Sean Brady: Islam Makhachev will 'run through' Ian Machado Garry

Sean Brady does not see Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry being a competitive championship fight if booked next for UFC welterweight gold.

Although not officially announced, there is heavy rumors that Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) will attempt to make his first 170-pound title defense against Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) at UFC 330, which takes place Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia (Paramount+).

There are a number of viable title challengers in the division at this point, including Machado Garry, unbeaten Michael Morales and now Carlos Prates, who smoked Jack Della Maddalena for a third-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 275 this past Saturday. Brady (18-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) will attempt to rejoin the mix Saturday when he meets Joaquin Buckley (22-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) at UFC 328 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (Paramount+)

There's a lot of movement happening, but it seems Machado Garry is going to get the next opportunity at the belt. If that happens, Brady said he doesn't like his chances.

"Islam coming up (from lightweight) really threw a wrench into everything," Brady told MMA Junkie. "Then obviously him winning threw an even bigger wrench. The division is kind weird. Who is Morales going to fight next? It's a crazy division but it's one of the best and hopefully everything keeps moving. There's a lot of big fights coming up that will keep us moving.

"As far as who is going to win that fight – Islam is going to run through Ian. Simple as that. He's going to sub him, for sure."

If Brady can get through Buckley, he would be poised for another big fight that would push him back toward the title conversation. The next date is more important than the next opponent, however, because Brady wants on that same UFC 330 card where Makhachev vs. Machado Garry is rumors to take place.

Brady is a proud Philadelphia resident, and it's the first since March 2019 that the octagon has touched down in his home town. Brady wasn't even on the roster at that point, so this is a rare opportunity for him, and he's determined to make it happen.

"Even if they weren't on the (UFC 330) card, I don't care who is main evening that card," Brady said. "As long as I'm not injured or anything like that, I obviously – not looking past Buckley or May 9 – I'm going to be on that card. It's my dream to fight in Philly on a stage as big as this, because who know when they're going to come back again."