By Luke Mullaney
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev returns to defend his title for the first time when he faces top contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Recently, Makhachev has looked unbeatable. He’s undefeated in over 10 years, and is entering the fight with plenty of momentum.
He’s fresh off his most recent win against former champ Jack Della Maddalena where he claimed the UFC welterweight title.
Garry on the other hand, was handed his first and only loss in the UFC to Shavkat Rakhmonov in an extremely competitive fight in December in 2024.
His victories over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad have strengthened his case as the division’s leading contender.
Garry takes on the Makhachev’s challenge
This fight is huge for both fighters’ careers.
For Makhachev, this is an opportunity to defend his belt against the division’s best contender and prove his title win against Della Maddalena wasn’t just lucky.
A win over Garry will further cement Makhachev’s legacy, pushing him further into greatest-of-all-time conversations.
He has already matched Anderson Silva’s UFC record of 16 consecutive wins. This fight against Garry will allow him to break that record.
Makhachev also has five consecutive lightweight title victories and four defences, both divisional records.
Sealing a legacy
He has won belts in two weight classes, beating the current champion 50-45 on all three scorecards.
He also defeated the greatest featherweight of all time, Alexander Volkanovski, when he was the pound-for-pound number one in the world before knocking him out in the rematch.
Many fans already believe his résumé and achievements warrant him being the best mixed martial artist of all time. This fight against Garry may seal his legacy.
For Garry, this is his chance to dethrone potentially the sport’s greatest fighter, become the welterweight champion and lead a new era in the division as a young and hungry champion.
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The UFC 330 main card match-up: Range vs control
Garry is one of the slickest and cleanest strikers in the UFC right now. He’s huge for the division, standing at 6ft 3ins with a 74-inch reach, compared to Makhachev, who stands at 5ft 10ins with a 70-inch reach.
Garry is an extremely technically skilful kickboxer who will find most of his success in this fight from kickboxing range. His patience, discipline and composure are some of his most valuable attributes.
Makhachev, on the other hand, is one of the most complete and well-rounded fighters in the world.
He’s a patient and efficient striker with otherworldly wrestling, possessing the threat of the takedown at all times.
Makhachev is extremely hard to back up and is a scary fighter when he’s closing distance. His 56% takedown accuracy, elite clinch work and instinct to constantly find the finish make him one of the sport’s elite.
His greatest strength, however, is how seamlessly he links every phase of MMA together. Pressure turns into clinch exchanges, which become takedowns, back takes and submission opportunities in rapid succession.
That ability to chain attacks together is the biggest threat to Garry – not simply the takedown and submission threat.
Makhachev always seems to have an answer for his opponent’s reaction, and that is what makes him so elite.
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Makhachev has another opportunity to strengthen his legacy
Garry is a nightmare match-up for Makhachev. Early in the fight, it’s expected that Garry may find success at range, controlling the distance while circling off.
However, once the fight settles, Makhachev’s pressure, clinch work and chain wrestling will allow him to dictate where the fight takes place. His striking should also become more effective as the fight plays out.
Prediction: Makhachev to win via submission.
How and when to watch UFC 330 in the UK and US
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the event will be presented live on TNT Sports or streamed through HBO Max with the TNT Sports plan.
The main card will commence at 2:00 BST, while prelims will begin at 0:00 and early prelims will start at 22:00.
US fans can watch the event live on Paramount+ with no additional pay-per-view charge. The main card will commence at 21:00 ET, prelims will begin at 19:00 ET and early prelims will start at 17:00 ET.
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