Fresh off capturing UFC gold in a second weight class, Makhachev now faces the first defense of his welterweight reign. Waiting for him is Garry, the surging Irish contender who has climbed to the top of the division and earned the biggest opportunity of his career.
Where to watch: The highly anticipated clash is set for Aug. 15, 2026, at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena and will stream live on Paramount+.
Makhachev Looks to Extend Historic Run
After dominating the lightweight division for years, Makhachev vacated his 155-pound title and moved up in weight. The decision paid off when he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to capture the welterweight championship at UFC 322 last year.
The victory added another chapter to an already remarkable career. Makhachev enters UFC 330 riding a 16-fight winning streak, matching the mark set by former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Now, the Dagestani star begins the next phase of his title run with the welterweight belt around his waist.
Garry Earns Long-Awaited Title Opportunity
For Ian Garry, UFC 330 represents the biggest fight of his career. The Irish contender worked his way back into championship contention after suffering the first loss of his professional career against Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Since then, Garry has rebuilt his momentum with consecutive victories over Carlos Prates and former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Those performances were enough to secure the No. 1 ranking and a shot at UFC gold.
Championship Clash Headlines Philadelphia Card
The matchup pits one of the UFC’s most accomplished champions against a rising contender eager to claim the division’s top spot.
Makhachev will look to strengthen his legacy with a successful first defense, while Garry gets his opportunity to pull off the biggest win of his career when the two meet under the bright lights of UFC 330.