RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Gaming 'Nasty Monster' Islam Makhachev Vs. 'Confident' Ian Machado Garry And Sleeper Fights On UFC 330 By Brian Mazique ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brian Mazique has covered combat sports and video games since 2011. Follow Author Aug 13, 2026, 01:13am EDT Aug 13, 2026, 01:13am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary UFC 330 is scheduled for August 15, 2026, in Philadelphia, featuring a welterweight title bout between dominant champion Islam Makhachev and the mercurial Ian Machado Garry. Despite the main card not universally exciting fans, with only four ranked fighters across eleven bouts and one fight already canceled, the headliner remains a significant draw. Garry's path to victory against Makhachev hinges on near-perfect takedown defense, though he demonstrated resilience in a previous fight. The co-main event sees Mackenzie Dern defending her women's strawweight title against Gillian Robertson, a clash of grapplers that could unexpectedly become a striking battle. All event blocks, starting with early prelims at 5:30 PM ET, will be broadcast on Paramount+. The event also sparks discussion about potential upsets, given recent surprising results in the sport.
The UFC 330 main card isn't necessarily blowing fans away on paper, but the main event features one of the sport's most dominant champions, Islam Makhachev against the mercurial but talented Ian Machado Garry.
After what we saw Justin Gaethje do to Ilia Topuria, we have to wonder if 2026 is the year for upsets? Also, UFC 330 has already lost a fight with the Erin Blanchfield Jasmine Jasudavicius fight falling off. Here's your one-stop shop for all things UFC 330. Let's talk MMA.
All times Eastern. The earlier start windows arrived with the Paramount+ deal, so a schedule from a past numbered card will be off by hours.
One subscription covers all three blocks.
Yes, but he’ll need to be nearly perfect. To put it plainly, Garry’s takedown defense must be at a supreme level if he’s going to have a chance in this one. He’ll have a brief window in stand-up, but the moment he lands anything or appears to have any advantage on the feet, the champion, whom Demetrious Johnson called a “Nasty Monster” will look for the takedown. If Garry gets taken down, he's got to get up. If Makhachev can maintain top control, this will get ugly.
Belal Muhammad went the full fifteen with Garry in November and failed on all seven takedown attempts , out of the same camp as the champion.
Dern-Robertson is perhaps the least-celebrated world title fight so far this year. However, it could be a Fight-of-the-Night candidate. Dern and Robertson are both superb grapplers which means this one could wind up being decided in kickboxing. Who has the edge in that area, maybe the challenger, but we'll see. Don't sleep on this one.
Robertson told UFC.com she finds her TKO in the third or fourth round.
It's strange to see so few ranked fighters on a numbered UFC event, but the only fighters on the card with a number next to their name are the main and co-main eventers.
Four ranked fighters, eleven fights. The Meta rankings return the same four names, and UFC 331 is the contrast.
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