Ian Machado Garry's UFC 300 prep gets boost from Usman Nurmagomedov's mimic skills

Ian Machado Garry's UFC 300 preparations just got more interesting. Islam Makhachev's coach Javier Mendez revealed that Usman Nurmagomedov, a PFL lightweight champion, is helping Makhachev's team mimic Garry's striking style ahead of their welterweight title fight.

What makes Usman Nurmagomedov special for Makhachev's camp?

Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is known for his ability to replicate almost any fighter's style. Mendez told Submission Radio that Usman would be the closest match to Garry's stand-up game. 'He's phenomenal... Usman would be the one individual that can mimic almost anybody on the stand-up part,' Mendez said.

Why is this important for Ian Machado Garry's UFC 300 fight?

Garry's combination of footwork and sharp striking at distance presents a new challenge for Makhachev. While Garry has predicted he'll beat Makhachev at his own game, Makhachev's team believes they're well prepared. Joe Rogan has given Garry a good chance of causing an upset if he can force Makhachev to strike with him.

What's next for Usman Nurmagomedov?

Usman Nurmagomedov faces Archie Colgan at PFL New York on July 31. This will be his final fight on his current PFL contract. After this bout, there will be a three-month negotiating period for his next move. Khabib Nurmagomedov has expressed respect for PFL but didn't want to speak about what's next for his cousin out of respect for the promotion.