It looks like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania may be getting the title fight the city desperately needs.
According to MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) matchmakers are working towards a matchup between UFC welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev, and No. 2-ranked contender, Ian Machado Garry, for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 from inside Xfinity Center in the “City of Brotherly Love.”
While some may have been holding out hope for a title fight matchup between Makhachev and streaking finisher Michael Morales it appears Makhachev’s first official UFC title defense will be against “The Future.” It’s not even close to as big as Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor, but fight fans would still get to see the Dagestan vs. Ireland feud play out in the ultimate proving ground.
Garry, who is 10-1 inside of the Octagon, has certainly earned his chance at UFC gold even if he’s a boring fighter. The Irish contender has only lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov in his professional career and has shown the ability to defend adequately off his back when taken down. He may pose more problems for Makhachev than some might think, especially with a five-inch height advantage.
Makhachev, who has bigger fish to fry in 2026, will likely be a large betting favorite if this welterweight matchup is finalized. The former UFC lightweight champion just made a successful jump to 170 pounds to claim the welterweight strap off Jack Della Maddalena last November. If Makhachev can secure a few title defenses in his new weight class he could go down as the greatest fighter of all time.
