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Islam Makhachev believes Ian Machado Garry could've toned down all the hugging during the UFC 330 main event.

Makhachev put the welterweight title at stake against Garry this past Saturday in Philadelphia. Makhachev held Garry up against the fence throughout the opening frame before dropping the challenger with a head kick during the second stanza. Garry had his strongest showing in the third round, but Makhachev regained control in rounds four and five with his grappling to secure the unanimous decision victory.

Garry often had moments where he showed respect for the 170-pound champion, daping him up and even hugging the surefire future UFC Hall of Famer. During the UFC 330 post-fight press conference, Makhachev admitted he felt the gestures were a bit over the top (via MMAFighting).

“Honestly, I don't understand,†Makhachev said. “This is a fight. This is not something we have to hug each other every round. We're going to war. We're going to break the face, to break the eye. I respect all my opponents. But [maybe he's young]. He respects too much. “I respect him. He's a good guy. Very kind. But this is a war. Look at my face. I just come to beat everything. It's not something you have to play. This is a fight. This is not a game.â€

Garry has said that his goal of becoming a UFC champion remains, and he believes there is plenty of time to fulfill his goal. For now, the Irish star will need to readjust before stepping back inside the Octagon. As for Makhachev, he has two eager contenders waiting for him in Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.

Makhachev will have some time to rest after earning his first successful welterweight title defense, but he plans to return before Ramadan. That would mean his next fight would be in January 2027 at the latest.

Did you find Ian Machado Garry's show of respect to be overbearing during the UFC 330 main event? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.

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Ian Machado Garry had a run-in with Michael Morales backstage once UFC 330 wrapped up.

Things didn't exactly get hostile between “The Future†and the rising 170-pound contender, but Garry took exception to a recent claim made by Morales. Prior to his welterweight title fight against Islam Makhachev this past Saturday, Garry made it clear that he wasn't impressed by Morales' level of opposition. He also felt the Ecuadorian star needs to have another fight against a top contender.

After Garry was defeated by Makhachev via unanimous decision, he ran into Morales backstage. The two were cordial, but Garry wasn't happy with Morales for what he claims is a made-up story about their first meeting in person (h/t MMAFighting).

“All the sh*t you talk, it's OK,†Garry said. “Make sure you back it up. I don't know whatever story you made up about meeting me, I've never encountered that sort, you know that, right? “Listen, you're a good fighter. Show up, keep winning, and you can do anything. Does that make sense? You've got massive fights in this division. You've got me, you've got [Carlos] Prates, you've got Islam. Show up and fight. Does that make sense? You're an animal. You're strong.â€

Morales could end up emerging as the next No. 1 contender for Makhachev's UFC Welterweight Championship. Some have been calling for Carlos Prates and Morales to throw down with a title shot at stake. The 170-pound ruler plans to have his next fight by January 2027 at the latest, which would be before Ramadan.

If it takes Makhachev until early next year to fight, then Morales and Prates will almost certainly have to step back inside the Octagon in that span barring injuries. Morales actually made weight to serve as an emergency fighter if he was needed for the UFC 330 main event.

What did you make of the conversation between Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Mackenzie Darn is still the women's strawweight champion following UFC 330, and she doesn't feel a bout with Zhang Weili is necessary to vindicate her title run.

Dern thwarted the challenge of Gillian Robertson inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia this past Saturday. At the end of the opening frame, Dern worked her jiu-jitsu game and nearly had a rear-naked choke prior to the horn. Dern had success throughout the fight setting up takedowns and maintaining top control, and it earned her a unanimous decision win.

This was Dern's first successful UFC Women's Strawweight Championship defense. Some fans have been calling for Dern to face former 115-pound champion Weili, who was never defeated for the gold in her second reign. Instead, Weili vacated the championship in an effort to chase the women's flyweight title.

During the UFC 330 post-fight presser, Dern dismissed the idea that she needs to defeat Weili in order to give her title reign credibility (via MMAJunkie).

“I felt like the champion before I won the belt,†Dern said. “I just feel like I solidified myself even more as a champ for the fans that they would say that. I don't think I need to (beat) Weili to be a champ. People retire. I'm not saying that's what she's going to do but the more defenses I can get at this, whoever comes next, I think I proved I was the champ. Gillian was on a five-fight winning streak. Virna was a four-fight winning streak. I just became a four-fight winning streak. I don't know how much more I need to do from that.â€

Weili hasn't competed since falling short in her bid for the women's 125-pound championship back in Nov. 2025. Dern didn't commit to calling out the Fight Wing UFC Hall of Famer, and said it's up to the UFC matchmakers to determine her next challenger. If it is indeed Weili, Dern feels she will be ready for her second title defense.

Do you agree with Mackenzie Dern, or do you think she needs a win over Zhang Weili to solidify her UFC title run? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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