UFC 330: Ian Machado Garry set to challenge Islam Makhachev for welterweight title

PHILADEPHIA: Ian Machado Garry will become the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to contest a UFC title when he faces Islam Makhachev for the welterweight championship here at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on 15 August on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, ranked number one in the welterweight division, will challenge Russian champion Makhachev in his first title defence at UFC 330.

Dana White confirmed Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry as the UFC 330 main event.

“Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry,” White announced as the main event of UFC 330.

“This is the first time we're back in Philly since 2019, I think, so I love it.”

Garry last fought in November, defeating Belal Muhammad, and has won 10 of 11 UFC bouts since joining in 2021 after Cage Warriors success.

He is widely tipped as a future champion, following McGregor, who last fought for a UFC title in 2018.

Makhachev became welterweight champion after beating Jack Della Maddalena and previously held the lightweight title, with a chance to extend a 16-fight UFC win streak.

Contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales were also in contention; Prates has knocked out three straight opponents despite a loss to Garry.

Ecuador’s Morales remains unbeaten in 19 fights, while Shavkat Rakhmonov has been sidelined through injury and removed from rankings.

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern defends her strawweight title against Gillian Robertson in Philadelphia.

Dern won the belt in October and is on a three-fight streak, while Robertson enters on five straight wins.

Victory for Garry would make him the first Irish UFC champion since McGregor and could significantly reshape the welterweight division landscape moving forward into a highly competitive era indeed moving ahead.