Islam Makhachev is set to defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330 on Aug. 15.
The championship bout will headline UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia and stream on Paramount+. It will be Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense, and if he wins, he will hold the record for most consecutive UFC wins with 17, surpassing Anderson Silva’s mark of 16.
Usman Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s primary training partner and the current PFL lightweight champion, sees Garry as a serious challenger. "Ian Garry is a tough guy and of course he can do something," Nurmagomedov said, before backing Makhachev’s all-around game. "But I think Islam going to be prepared for everything. Striking and wrestling. We know Ian Garry has problems with wrestling and grappling. Islam have very good control on the ground, and very good wrestling to take the guy to the ground. He's now got good striking. It's a very good fight. In my opinion it's a huge fight."
Nurmagomedov also praised Makhachev’s place in the sport. "Yes, in my opinion, Islam is the best fighter in the world right now," he said. "What he's doing, nobody can do. He now breaking the records with Anderson Silva. Can you imagine that brother? If he did, nobody ever going to break this."
Makhachev enters UFC 330 with a 28-1 MMA record and 17-1 in the UFC, while Garry holds a 17-1 MMA record and 10-1 in the UFC.
