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UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev hinted that Usman Nurmagomedov could be signing with the promotion soon.

Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight title this Saturday against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. Makhachev returns to the Octagon after becoming the UFC's latest two-division champ by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

As Makhachev continues his final preparations for UFC 330, one of his longtime teammates could be on the way to the promotion. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a free agent and could potentially sign with the UFC in the coming weeks.

UFC CEO Dana White recently expressed interest in signing the undefeated champion, and manager Ali Abdelaziz hinted that the promotion has reached out. Nurmagomedov most recently finished Archie Colgan at PFL New York.

Ahead of UFC 330, Makhachev not only hinted that a Nurmagomedov UFC signing could be imminent, but also teased a few potential matchups for the PFL champ.

Islam Makhachev tabs Usman Nurmagomedov for immediate UFC title shot

During his UFC 330 media day press conference, Makhachev was asked about Nurmagomedov's potential UFC signing and hinted at a potential deal in the works.

“Usman has been training with us since he was really young. I know 100 percent that he's ready to fight for the UFC title tomorrow,†Makhachev said of Nurmagomedov.

“In my opinion, Usman did his job in the PFL, and he's ready to show a good performance in the UFC. Right now, is the time for Usman in the UFC and we have some people in mind. We want Justin for the belt, but if he has to do one more [fight], he'll face Arman [Tsarukyan] or [Mauricio] Ruffy.â€

Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will clash in the UFC 331 co-main event next month in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, lightweight champ Justin Gaethje's return timeline remains uncertain, although he's widely speculated to face the Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy winner for his first title defense.

Can Usman Nurmagomedov win a UFC title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Gillian Robertson can make history at UFC 330.

Robertson is set to challenge for the UFC strawweight title against Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event of UFC 330 on Saturday. After Robertson's last win against Amanda Lemos, she thought she had done enough to get a title shot, and the UFC brass confirmed shortly after.

“I think I did do enough, but I wasn't happy with my performance,†Robertson said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Coming out of the cage, legit, after my first couple of steps, Hunter Campbell was there and said I was getting a title shot. Then, they brought me back to Dana, and he told me the same thing. So, right after the fight, I knew it was solidified.â€

Heading into UFC 330, Robertson will be competing in her 21st UFC fight. It's been a long journey for the Canadian as she looks to become the first female Canadian UFC champion in history.

“I have had the longest journey for a female to a title in the UFC. It's been a crazy journey; I'm just here in the fights. Obviosuly the title is big; I just want to perform and fight. … Being the first female Canadian UFC champ, just saying that is unreal. And maybe we can get a surge in Canadians; we need more in the sport,†Robertson added.

Gillian Robertson eyes TKO win at UFC 330

However, to do that, Robertson will need to beat Dern, which is easier said than done.

Gillian Robertson knows Mackenzie Dern is an elite grappler. But she believes her aggression on the ground will be the difference.

“If Mackenzie and I competed in straight jiu-jitsu, she might be a better grappler than me. But when it comes to MMA, I'm the best on the ground. There is no pressure or aggression like mine; I feel like it will be a different world than hers,†Robertson said.

Ultimately, Robertson believes the aggression on the ground will lead to a TKO win and hearing Bruce Buffer say ‘And New.'

“I see this very much as an MMA fight, being all over the place. In the striking, the clinch, the ground, it won't solely be one aspect. … The way for me to win is to make it dirty, use ground and pound, elbows. She will be tough to submit; I will be looking for that, but I think a TKO is more likely for me,†Robertson said.

If Robertson gets her hand raised, she wants her first title defense to be against Zhang Weili.

“100 percent. Mackenzie is facing it right now, and I will face it as soon as I get the belt. Everybody doesn't call her the champ; everyone says Weili is the champ. You need to beat her to solidify yourself. It has to be the first fight after the belt,†Robertson concluded.

Do you think Gillian Robertson will beat Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330?

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Islam Makhachev believes he will teach Ian Machado Garry how to be humble once UFC 330 is in the books.

Makhahcev is looking for his first successful welterweight title defense when he collides with Garry on Saturday. As fight night approaches, the athletes competing on this weekend's card in Philadelphia have been fulfilling media obligations. When Makhachev spoke to reporters during his scrum, he was asked what he thinks about his upcoming title challenger as a person.

The reigning 170-pound champion believes Garry's bravado will come back to haunt him when the lights are shining brighter than ever.

“I think he's good person, good guy, but he acts like he's bad boy or something like this,†Makhachev said. “I tell in the interview also, we will make him humble.â€

Garry has said that not only does he envision a knockout win at UFC 330, but he also plans to make it an emphatic finish and not a lucky shot. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes that “The Future†is making a mistake with that mindset, while others feel Garry is simply hyping up the fight.

There has been much speculation over Makhachev's future once Saturday's event has wrapped up. Longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan recently admitted that he wouldn't be shocked if Makhachev retires should he earn the victory over Garry.

Regardless of Makhachev's plans, Garry hopes to prove that the next generation of welterweights has arrived with him leading the charge. The Irishman told media members that Carlos Prates is the most deserving contender after UFC 330, and he claims he'd give “The Nightmare†a title shot if he is successful against Makhachev.

Will it be business as usual for Islam Makahchev at UFC 330, or will Ian Machado Garry give him problems on Saturday? Sound off in the comments below.

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