IAN MACHADO GARRY TO FIGHT ISLAM MAKHACHEV FOR UFC WELTERWEIGHT BELT

Ian Machado Garry will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight championship on 15 August in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old Irish fighter, ranked first in the welterweight division, will face the Russian champion at UFC 330 at the XFinity Mobile Arena. Should Machado Garry prevail, he will become the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to capture a UFC title. Machado Garry last competed in November, defeating former title holder Belal Muhammad.

Machado Garry joined the UFC in 2021 following his welterweight championship victory in UK-based promotion Cage Warriors. He has recorded 10 wins from 11 fights since his arrival. Makhachev claimed the welterweight belt last year by defeating Jack Della Maddalena, becoming a two-division champion after relinquishing his lightweight title. A victory for the 34-year-old would extend his UFC win streak to 17 consecutive fights, surpassing Anderson Silva's record of 16.

Machado Garry secured the title opportunity ahead of second-ranked Carlos Prates and third-ranked Michael Morales. Prates, from Brazil, has won his last three bouts by knockout but lost to Machado Garry in April last year. Morales, from Ecuador, has recorded 19 consecutive victories. In a co-main event bout, American-Brazilian Mackenzie Dern will defend her strawweight title against Canada's Gillian Robertson, with Robertson currently on a five-fight winning streak.