UFC matchmakers are working on a welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at the Xfinity Center in Philadelphia.
The bout would see Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion and former UFC lightweight champion, put his 170-pound belt on the line against No. 2-ranked contender Garry, who is 10-1 inside the Octagon and whose only professional loss is to Shavkat Rakhmonov.
The potential championship matchup is being lined up for the "City of Brotherly Love." If finalized, it would mark Makhachev’s first defense of the welterweight title he won from Jack Della Maddalena last November, against a challenger long billed as "The Future."
Some observers had hoped for a title fight between Islam Makhachev and Michael Morales instead, but the promotion is instead working toward a pairing that has been described as part of a Dagestan vs. Ireland rivalry. Makhachev recently moved up to welterweight and is expected to be a large betting favorite if the fight is finalized.
