The Ultimate Fighting Championship has officially announced Islam Makhachev’s next fight.
Makhachev moved up to welterweight last year after successfully defending his lightweight belt four times. On his 170-pound debut at UFC 322, he dethroned Jack Della Maddalena with ease, joined the list of two-division UFC champions, and also recaptured the pound-for-pound throne.
Lately, there were rumours that he could be taking on Michael Morales. However, the UFC had other plans.
Islam Makhachev will lock horns with Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia
Check out the official announcement below:
The UFC 330 bout will be Islam Makhachev’s first attempt at defending his welterweight crown
No.1 UFC 170-pound contender Ian Machado Garry is currently riding a two-fight win streak. The short-notice risk taker defeated Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad last year, after which he called out the Dagestani wrestling maestro.
Garry also went to Georgia to sharpen his wrestling skills, which would help him prepare for the Makhachev bout.
Over the past few months, “The Future” has been calling out the 34-year-old champ nonstop. The Irishman was tired of inactivity, but now, he will finally get what he wants and rightfully deserves.
Islam Makhachev originally wanted to fight the legendary Kamaru Usman next. But now, Usman is rumoured to face Dricus du Plessis in July.
The two-division UFC champion had also shown interest in fighting the undefeated welterweight contender Michael Morales, who has also been calling out the former very often.
But now the stage is set for Garry to prove if his training camp in Georgia has given him the tools needed to dethrone Makhachev.
Ian Machado Garry enters the bout with a professional record of 17-1. His only loss came in 2024 via unanimous decision when he locked horns with former training partner Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice at UFC 310.
Islam Makhachev, on the other hand, enters UFC 330 boasting a pro-record of 28-1. The reigning welterweight champ and former lightweight titleholder is riding a 16-fight win streak. His only career loss came in 2015, when he got knocked out by Adriano Martins.
