RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 2 sources
Ian Machado Garry made his UFC debut in 2021 [Getty Images]
Ian Machado Garry said fans will be chanting his name when he beats welterweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 after he was relentlessly booed at a news conference in Philadelphia.
The Irishman was booed as soon as he was introduced to the stage, with fans pledging their allegiance to Russia's Makhachev, who is looking to further cement his legacy on Saturday.
"On Saturday night that belt will be wrapped around my waist and every single one of you is going to change - it's going to be 'let's go Garry' chants," Machado Garry said.
"I couldn't care less [about the booing]. My little boy is here laughing and making faces - I'm living the dream.
"I get to fight for a world title. I dreamt of this room when I was a 16-year-old kid and this weekend all of my dreams come true. Nobody can take that away from me."
Machado Garry, 28, has a record of 17 wins in 18 professional bouts and has 10 wins from 11 fights since signing with the UFC to emerge as the number one contender in the welterweight division.
Machado Garry told reporters during Wednesday's media day that he would only be answering questions about the fight, and he shut down one of those journalists, who he felt overstepped the mark, during Thursday's news conference.
The journalist in question said: "A lot of fans sometimes say that Ian is annoying, do you find Ian annoying?", but Machado Garry interjected before Makhachev could answer.
"That's a loaded question," Machado Garry said.
"What you're doing now is trying to cause trouble. We're friends, I thought we were cool. That's putting words in his mouth and you know it.
"If he thinks that he can be honest and say it, but your job as a journalist is to be professional and stick to the sport.
"This is the biggest fight of the year, I think there are more important things to talk about."
Machado Garry said he felt "nervous energy" from Makhachev when they faced off in front of the iconic Rocky Balboa statue on Wednesday.
But it was very cordial when they came face-to-face on Thursday, shaking hands before Machado Garry said "you ready?"
'Beating Makhachev proves I'm special'
Ian Machado Garry's (right) last five wins have all come by decision [Getty Images]
Regarded by many as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Makhachev, 34, vacated his lightweight title in January 2025 after four successful defences and claimed the welterweight belt in November.
He has lost just once in his 29 fight career - winning 17 of his 18 contests in the UFC - with his sole defeat coming in 2015.
"Beating him proves I'm special," Machado Garry said.
"Everyone of you fans consider him to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, you consider him to be the greatest martial artist walking the earth.
"When I beat him, you'll all shut your mouth and think I'm great."
Victory will see Makhachev move clear of Anderson Silva's 16 successive wins in the UFC - a record which has stood for 13 years.
Earlier in the week, Makhachev said he "does not have much time" left in the UFC but at the news conference he appeared to suggest he could be around for a while to come.
"Seventeen [wins] is not going to be enough. I want to be sure that nobody breaks my record so it needs to be 20 minimum," Makhachev said.
"Let's talk about the GOAT numbers after my career. I'm still winning. After my 20-win streak then let's talk."
'Feels like we're in high school'
Gillian Robertson (right) is looking to record a sixth successive win at UFC 330 [Getty Images]
There is also a title on the line in Saturday's co-main event with Gillian Robertson facing strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern.
Canada's Robertson has been with the UFC since 2017 and is getting her first shot at a belt in her 21st fight with the promotion.
The 31-year-old, who holds the record for most submission wins (7) in UFC history, repeated claims that she has been disrespected by American Dern all week.
"She has been diminishing my skills throughout the media, saying she doesn't know what belt I am or who I am, but she's chasing the submission record which I have," Robertson said.
Dern beat Virna Jandiroba to claim the vacant belt in October and has six submission wins on her record in the UFC.
"It feels like we're in high school, like 'who doesn't like each other', but the best time we'll get to know each other is in the octagon for 25 minutes," Dern responded.
UFC champion Dern says poker patience helps her fighting
How vegan diet changed course of Machado Garry's career
MMA schedule and results 2026
Watch every Born to Brawl episode
More MMA from the BBC
Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.