Islam Makhachev is gearing up for UFC 330 this Saturday in Philadelphia, and honestly, the man is on a collision course with history. He’s not just a two-division champion, he’s aiming to break into the G.O.A.T. conversation, and this fight against Ian Machado Garry is the next step. Last year, Makhachev already separated himself from his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov by breaking the UFC lightweight title defense record and snagging a second weight class title. Now? He’s looking to break the longest UFC undefeated streak, a record he currently shares with none other than Anderson Silva. This isn’t just another fight; it’s a legacy-defining moment.
The GOAT Conversation and Garry’s “Sneaky Threat”
Makhachev’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez, isn’t holding back on the stakes, telling CBS Sports that “If [Makhachev] wins on Saturday,especially if he wins spectacularly,you can’t exclude him from the [Mount Rushmore] conversation.” That’s high praise, and it shows just how much is riding on this. But don’t sleep on Ian Machado Garry, who Makhachev himself is calling a “sneaky threat” to his welterweight title. Garry is no joke; his commitment to a game plan and sound defense has led him to an insane 17-1 record. Plus, he’s been training with former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, giving him unique insight into how Makhachev fights. Garry sounds confident, too. He told CBS Sports’ Brian Campbell, “how can he get close to me? You can’t grab something that you can’t touch. You can’t wrestle me if you can’t catch me and hold me down. He has to get there in the first place.” Talk about a challenge!
More Title Fights and Redemption Arcs
UFC 330 isn’t just about the main event, though. The UFC women’s strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern is making her first title defense, stepping into the octagon against Gillian Robertson. It’s also a big deal for Canada, which hasn’t seen a UFC champion in almost a decade, not since legends like Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Newton. Will this card see new Canadian talent rise up? Elsewhere on Saturday night, Jalin Turner, 31, is back in an important lightweight bout against Kaue Fernandes. Turner’s had a brutal run since 2023, with consecutive losses to Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker. He bounced back with a TKO of King Green at the end of 2023, only to suffer back-to-back stoppage losses in 2024 and 2025 against Renato Moicano and Ignacio Bahamondes. He got another TKO win over Edson Barboza last December, but he needs another stellar performance like that on Saturday to solidify his place in the 155-pound rankings. This guy needs to prove he’s still a contender.
This Saturday is absolutely stacked. Makhachev’s shot at history and Garry’s confidence make the main event mandatory viewing. For Turner, it’s about proving he belongs. You can catch all the action live in Philadelphia, with Paramount+ offering every UFC numbered event and Fight Night included with your subscription, starting as low as $8.99/month. This is one you do not want to miss!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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