Five Reasons to Watch UFC 330, Featuring Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry + 7 Brazilians

Makhachev and Ian Garry have a tense face-off at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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The wait is finally over and one of the most anticipated fights of 2026 will take place. At UFC 330 , a show that takes place this Saturday (15), in Philadelphia (USA) , Islam Makhachev , welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg), faces Ian Machado Garry in the main fight of the night. And the numbered event goes beyond the new chapter of the rivalry between Russia, more precisely Dagestan, and Ireland in MMA.

In total, UFC 330 consists of 12 fights and features seven members of the 'Brazilian Squad'. In the co-main event, champion Mackenzie Dern defends her strawweight title (up to 52,2 kg) for the first time against Gillian Robertson . Vicente Luque , Edson Barboza , Kauê Fernandes , Eduardo Chapolin , Lucas Fernando , and Rafael Bipolar also represent the country in the event. To get you in the mood, the SUPER LUTAS team has selected five reasons to watch the spectacle.

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1) Did Makhachev break a record?

Makhachev at the UFC press conference. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

See too

The greatest of all time? Islam Makhachev could break Anderson Silva's 14-year record at UFC 330; understand the details.

Dagestan vs. Ireland 2: Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry face off in a "rematch" almost a decade after Khabib vs. McGregor.

Ian Garry faces Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas City. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

Is Ian Machado Garry Brazilian? Understand how the fighter could win an unprecedented title for Brazil at UFC 330.

Islam Makhachev is considered by bookmakers to be the favorite to win the fight, and it represents not only his possible first welterweight title defense. Currently, the Russian and Anderson Silva hold the record for the longest winning streak in UFC history (16). Therefore, Khabib Nurmagomedov 's friend has the chance to surpass the legendary Brazilian, something that until recently was unimaginable.

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Moreover, Makhachev's confidence, which hasn't wavered since 2015, is immense. The welterweight champion guarantees he will expand his legacy in MMA and that the victory against Ian Machado Garry will come quickly, that is, by knockout or submission.

2) Will Garry 'avenge' McGregor?

Ian Garry celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

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It's no secret that the rivalry between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest in MMA history, and at UFC 330 , Ireland and Russia will face off again. When he emerged in the organization in 2021, Ian Machado Garry was called the 'New McGregor' and now he's close to taking his career to the next level, as he has a real chance of becoming the welterweight champion.

And the fight for 'The Future' also represents revenge, since 'The Eagle', a friend of Islam Makhachev , training partner and now coach, defeated his idol by submission in 2018. Therefore, it's certain that Garry is not only fighting for himself, but also for Ireland and to ease McGregor's pain, since beating the Russian, considering the rivalry between the countries, would have a significant meaning.

3) Will Mackenzie dominate?

Mackenzie Dern at an event. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

Mackenzie Dern is beginning her reign in the strawweight division and faces a formidable opponent ready to put on a show. Gillian Robertson is a high-level fighter who earned her title shot, but, coming from a jiu-jitsu background, her mission is set to be difficult. That's because the Brazilian is simply a legend of the gentle art.

If the co-main event develops on the feet, Mackenzie also proves superior, as she has been perfecting her striking and hits hard. Therefore, the Brazilian has a chance to impress at UFC 330 and consolidate her position at the top of the division, since Zhang Weili, the former queen, still has no scheduled return to the octagon.

4) Fight

Kauê focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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In the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), the fight between Jalin Turner and Kauê Fernandes is being overlooked by many, but it has everything to steal the show at UFC 330. This is because both athletes are aggressive and powerful strikers.

On one side, the American, a giant in the division, comes off a victory over Edson Barboza and doesn't know what it's like to win by decision, a statistic that illustrates just how dangerous he is. On the other hand, the Brazilian is riding a three-fight winning streak, two of which were by knockout. Because of the offensive nature of both fighters and the possibility of the winner breaking into the top 15, the duel has all the makings of a violent fight and is unmissable.

5) Retirement?

Edson Barboza focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/UFC

Also in the lightweight division, 40-year-old Edson Barboza returns to action in what could be his farewell fight in MMA. The Brazilian has been defeated in his last three fights and, due to this negative record, is an underdog against Esteban Ribovics . However, anyone who thinks the veteran is already defeated when facing the Argentinian is mistaken.

On the contrary, Edson assures that he has prepared in the best possible way and promised to wage war against Ribovics. Indeed, battles are not lacking in the Brazilian's career, who, at his peak, experienced great moments in the UFC. Therefore, the athlete, accustomed to exchanging blows with the best fighters, is confident that he has what it takes to overcome the promising Argentinian.