Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates are set to face off for the welterweight title. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage.
After an exciting weekend for MMA fans around the world, it's time to look ahead to the future of the athletes who left the world's most famous octagon with their arms raised. While Mackenzie Dern , the only Brazilian UFC champion, still doesn't have a return date, Islam Makhachev has made it clear he wants to compete again within the next six months. Furthermore, several contenders for the title shot have been looking for ways to stand out.
Therefore, SUPER LUTAS decided to highlight some potential fights to be held in the upcoming chapters of the weight classes that occupied the most important positions on the main card of UFC 330.
See too
Check out the fights that are scheduled to take place after UFC 330.
Islam Makhachev vs. Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates in the front row during UFC 330. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.
After Islam Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight title (up to 77,1 kg) for the first time, it's not difficult to determine who should be the top contender. According to the champion himself, Carlos Prates should be chosen , leaving behind names like Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov . With only one loss in the UFC, precisely to Ian Garry , the Brazilian is coming off three consecutive knockout victories, including great moments against former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena.
Currently holding the number one position in the category ranking, he was present in the front row at the Wells Fargo Center and made a point of "marking his territory" and making it clear that he wants to be the next to challenge the Russian.
Mackenzie Dern x Weili Zhang
Like Makhachev, Mackenzie Dern was successful in her first title defense, dominating Gillian Robertson for five rounds and proving once again that she is the best strawweight (up to 52,1 kg) in the world. Despite having significant victories against most of the ranked athletes, the Brazilian still has a clear challenge: Weili Zhang . The former champion vacated the belt to try her luck against Valentina Shevchenko , and since her failure, she has returned to the division and aims to share the octagon with the multi-time jiu-jitsu champion. Although there is no public discussion on the subject, the Chinese fighter is the leading contender to face Dern.
Mackenzie Dern doesn't feel she needs to beat Zhang Weili to cement championship status after #UFC330 :
“I just think I solidified myself even more as the champ for the fans, that they would say that, but I don't think I need to win [against] Weili to be a champ.” pic.twitter.com/SdWWNyFFzC
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 16, 2026
Ian Garry vs. Michael Morales
Ian Garry confronts Morales backstage at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/FullSendMMA
Following the scenario where Prates and Makhachev face off for the title, the other major clash in the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg) could end up happening between Ian Garry and Michael Morales . Despite making weight as the official reserve for UFC 330 , the Ecuadorian hasn't fought since November 2025, when he knocked out Sean Brady in the first round. Given the uncertainty surrounding Shavkat Rakhmonov 's future , a duel between the two could determine the next challenger for the belt.
Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.
Comments