The UFC is back with two more title fights and a bunch of fun matchups scattered throughout the card. I’ll be breaking down both championship matchups as well as another of my favorite fights from the card.If you want to chat about any additional fights, leave a comment below.Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado GarryThe welterweight title is back on the line as pound-for-pound beast Islam Makhachev takes on surging prospect Ian Machado Garry.Islam MakhachevIan Machado GarryOdds-330+267SSLpM2.454.78SApM1.452.86Striking Defense61%52%Takedowns/15 min.3.10.92Takedown Defense91%80%Makhachev is 28-1 as a pro, and is among the most dominant fighters in the sport today. He’s an elite wrestler and control grappler, and has proven to be a submission threat on the mat as well.There have been very few opponents who’ve been able to stuff Makhachev’s takedowns and keep the fight upright, and I don’t necessarily see that changing any time soon.On the feet, Makhachev is a low-volume striker, but I’ve always liked his ability to control exchanges and limit damage. He lands 2.45 significant strikes per minute, while absorbing 1.45 per minute with a 61 percent defensive rate.The only loss on Makhachev’s resume is a quick KO against Adriano Martins back in 2015. He’s been hurt by others too, primarily Alexander Volkanovski, but Makhachev outboxed Dustin Poirier in their recent title fight in 2024.Makhachev, 34, may slow down at some point, and if you can force stand up exchanges, at least you have a chance to beat him. But he’s an elite wrestler with a strong process and should continue to win most of his matchups."You've got one company who owns all of the monopolies — and it's TKO."Garry has the Irish crowd behind him and, like his fellow Irishmen, has a presence on the mic. It’s been his skills in the Octagon that have set him apart. He currently holds a 17-1 pro record. That only loss came to Shavkat Rakhmonov in 2024 when Garry had Rakhmonov on the ropes and in a deep submission attempt late in that fight.Garry primarily excels at distance where he can use his length and precision striking. He is five inches taller than Makhachev with four extra inches of reach.Garry lands 4.78 significant strikes per minute, while absorbing 2.86 per minute with a 52 percent striking defense. He’s been hurt badly a couple of times but has survived, and he’s the type to hurt opponents more via accumulation than one big power shot.Makhachev is likely going to continue his pursuit of the takedown, and Garry will try to defend them and scramble up. At distance, Garry may not dominate but he should throw more volume, and his point fighting style is enough to give him a real shot in extended exchanges.I am not completely sold Makhachev runs away with this. Garry defends takedowns at 80 percent and just stuffed all of Belal Muhammad’s takedowns.However, Garry has also been grounded by Rakhmonov, Song Kenan, Gabe Green and Darian Weeks, which isn’t the best list of wrestlers. I’m pretty confident Makhachev can get him down eventually, and while Garry can survive, I’m skeptical he can get back up.The most likely outcomes in my mind are Makhachev controlling Garry for the majority of the fight and winning a clear decision, or perhaps submitting him. Garry is live to land one big shot but that will be tough, and otherwise will need to win multiple rounds with some volume and damage.