Ian
Garry felt like Islam
Makhachev didn't want to be at their first face-off.

Makhachev (28-1) defends his
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title against Garry
(17-1) at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Makhachev and Garry recently faced off for the first time in front
of the iconic Rocky statue in Philly, where the challenger
perceived nerves on the champ's part.

Ian Garry on face-off with Islam Makhachev: ‘He didn't want to
be there'

Garry claims to have felt some “nervous energy†from the Dagestani
champion. However, he also admitted that it was an unofficial
face-off and the one that actually matters is the official one at
the ceremonial weigh-ins, after they've made weight.

“I just kind of felt like yesterday he didn't want to be there,â€
Garry said at UFC 330 media day. “He didn't want to be at the
face-off. I sensed a little bit of nervous energy from him. But
they are face-offs; they are fake, they are for social media, they
are for Instagram, they are for obligations. They're not for us.
The face-off that matters to me is Friday, when we've made weight,
when we've done all the hard work, we show up in front of fans and
it's the last time we get to look at each other before we meet in
the Octagon.â€

Meanwhile, Makhachev seemed completely unfazed by Garry's
perception. The Russian says this is the second time in his career
that he is enjoying every moment of fight week.

“I’m not nervous,†Makhachev said at media day. “This is like my
second fight week in my life where I enjoying every moment.â€

A career-defining clash 👊@MAKHACHEVMMA
vs @iangarryMMA

[ #UFC330
| LIVE SAT AUG 15 | 9pmET on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/LIs18fqJWq

— UFC (@ufc) August
12, 2026

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!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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A newly crowned champion is stepping into unfamiliar territory instead of taking a victory lap.

Nico Carrillo makes his ONE Championship kickboxing debut against Chinese newcomer Zhou Jiaqiang at ONE Fight Night 46, broadcasting live in US primetime this Friday, August 14, from Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium. The 27-year-old Scot went from interim titleholder to undisputed ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion last month. This happened after Tawanchai PK Saenchai vacated the belt to continue rehabbing a serious leg injury.

Carrillo earned that opportunity by outworking Shadow Mavinn across five rounds at ONE Fight Night 40 in February. He now carries a 29-4 record and a relentless finishing instinct into this new discipline. A win over Zhou would put him on course to chase two-sport World Champion status. It would also add kickboxing gold to a Muay Thai throne he now holds outright.

“Nothing has changed. I have an opponent in front of me that I have to deal with, and I'm locked on that task. The news of me being officially crowned has nothing to do with this fight camp,†he said.

Nico Carrillo eyes bigger picture beyond Friday

Carrillo has already mapped out a path that extends well past this weekend, with plans to defend his Muay Thai title later this year before pursuing an MMA debut in Qatar as early as March, part of a renewed three-year partnership between ONE Championship and Visit Qatar.

Stacking disciplines immediately after inheriting undisputed gold is a bold call, but it fits a fighter who has built his career on seeking out the toughest available test rather than the safest one.

“I'm already a ONE World Champion, and the next obvious step is to become a two-sport World Champion, kickboxing or MMA alongside Muay Thai. For now, it's one step at a time,†he said.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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