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UFC 330 live blog: Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry

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3 weeks ago

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UFC 330 live blog: Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry

This is the UFC 330 live blog for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry, the welterweight championship main event Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Islam Makhachev reigns as the No. 1-ranked fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, while Garry is tied with Michael Morales for the No. 3 spot at 170 pounds in our Global Rankings.

Not only is Makhachev (28-1) looking to join Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes as the only fighters in UFC history to successfully defend titles in two weight classes, he also goes for his 17th straight win, which put him in sole possession of the promotion's longest-ever win streak, passing the legendary Anderson Silva. Makhachev already holds the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses (4) and captured welterweight gold this past November with a dominant decision win over Jack Della Maddalena.

Garry (17-1) has long touted himself as a future UFC champion and the time is now for him to put his money where his mouth is. The brash Irishman won his first eight UFC fights before losing a decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov, but has bounced back with consecutive victories over former champion Belal Muhammad and top contender Carlos Prates. Though Garry is a live underdog, dethroning Makhachev would unquestionably send major ripples through the MMA world.

Check out the UFC 330 live blog for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry below.

I know I keep beating this drum, but…

Ilia Topuria. Alex Pereira. Khamzat Chimaev.

Is Islam Makhachev THE NEXT TO FALL???

Obviously, Ian Machado Garry has been the underdog since this matchup was announced. He currently sits at +265 on FanDuel. The champion Makhachev a big favorite at -330.

Herb Dean the third man in the cage for this one.

Makhachev making use of leg kicks early. Garry presses forward with a couple of straight punches, Makhachev evades. Garry blocks a Makhachev high kick. Makhachev dives for a leg, he gets Garry on his back and works to secure the position. Absolute vise grip from the champion. Nice knee from Makhachev as Garry works to stand. Makhachev powers Garry to the fence.

Makhachev just leaning on Garry, firing knees into his hip. Not much damage to speak of, but Garry is fully in defense mode. “F*ck you, Garry†chants ringing out through Xfinity Mobile Arena. Makhachev stuck to him like glue.

Still little significant offense, but that's a round in the books for Makhachev.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev.

Garry not hesitating to throw kicks from distance. Makes sense, he got taken down being conservative in the first round so maybe take a few more risks. Little output from both fighters as they size each other up. There's a body kick for Garry. Looks like there might have been a kick below the belt, Makhachev doesn't react, but Garry pauses to apologize.

Makhachev gets a hold of Garry, but Garry forces the action to the cage while sneaking in body shots. They separate and Makhachev lands a punch and then a MASSIVE head kick. Garry is dropped. He's back up fast, but he looks wobbly. Makhachev closes the distance and throws Garry. The champion in complete control with two minutes left in Round 2.

This might be giving Garry time to recover, but he's being smothered. Garry trying to work his way up, Makhachev with relentless pressure, just draining that gas tank.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 20-18 Makhachev.

Garry trying to set up his offense with kicks but there's been little follow-up and Makhachev has been the more dangerous fighter in close. Garry at least managing to keep the champion at bay this round, but not sure how he expects to win throwing almost nothing. Then again, not much from Makhachev right now either.

Almost on cue, Makhachev dives in for a leg and there's the takedown. Garry not fully down and he manages to reverse position, stand, and land a few strikes. Impressive sequence for the challenger. Garry lands a head kick and that got Makhachev's attention. Oblique kick scores for Garry, he's been working to establish that. Round to the challenger, perhaps.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Garry. Overall, 29-28 Makhachev.

Garry again attacks the oblique. Hard body kick by Garry, he's scoring points. Makhachev with a single leg, Garry countering well and they're scrambling. Makhachev relentless with his wrestling and he gets the takedown, Garry already working to get up. The champion wants to stay heavy, but Garry's size is helping him to find an angle to power up.

Garry with short shots to the body. This is a tough round to score. Makhachev with a high-crotch lift and he dumps Garry, with little impact, though. An argument could be made Garry has done more damage, minimal as it is.

Big effort from Makhachev to score another takedown, but Garry is right back up. I think he's winning this round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Garry. Overall, 38-38.

Garry working to cut off the cage. Makhachev with a couple of punches to back Garry off, but Garry catches him with a counter right. Straight right scores for Garry. Takedown from Makhachev, not much behind it but he initiates a scramble and Garry is right back up. They're back in a familiar struggle against the fence.

Clean takedown for Makhachev and he has the back. Garry not getting back up easily this time. Less than half a round to go and Makhachev is in control. No answer for Garry right now with Makhachev stuck to his back, landing short strikes, and vaguely threatening a choke. Love it or hate it, this is winning.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 48-47 Makhachev.

Official result: Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)

Makhachev: “Ian is a great fighter. Good man and I just respect him. He gave me a hard time, but I still rule every fight. Thank you for this match.â€

Was this the most difficult fight of your career?

“Maybe in Australia, the first one against [Volkanovski] was also very hard.â€

Makhachev says Garry's work with Demian Maia clearly helped him improve his grappling, though he admits fighting at welterweight is a different beast.

“I feel guys have more power, hard to submit them, but still my game is working. I take down all my opponents, give them a hard time there.â€

Nice moment before Garry gets his chance to speak as he talks to Khabib Nurmagomedov and praises him and their team.

What was surprising to you about this fight?

Garry: “Nothing surprised me. I have nothing but respect for Islam, I've said it all week. I said it when he came up and moved into this division, we should all sit back and show him respect to come up here and win that second belt. I believed in my heart and in my soul I was better than him tonight, he won. I have no complaints, no excuses. This is the best camp of my life. I'm proud of my team, I'm proud of my family. I love my wife, my little boy, I fight to make them happy, and I'm proud of everything that I've done. I'm 28 years of age. I have a decade in this sport of domination and this man won tonight and that's OK. I can take that on my sleeve and go home, regroup, and get better, because if you lose it in here [points to his head] you lose it everywhere and I'm as f*cking bulletproof as I could ever be up here.

“I look at the people like Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, they're 38 years old, they just won world titles. They're both champions of the world. I'm 28, baby, this might not set me back one step, but I'll jump up here tenfold and I just came up against the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, a man who created history tonight.â€

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MMA

Cris Cyborg wants to ‘save’ UFC 332 with Amanda Nunes revenge fight

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3 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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Cris Cyborg wants to ‘save’ UFC 332 with Amanda Nunes revenge fight
Cris
Cyborg has offered the
Ultimate Fighting Championship a solution to its UFC 332
main event problem.

Cyborg took to social media to call for a rematch with former
two-division champion Amanda
Nunes, suggesting the fight could headline the Oct. 3 numbered
event in Salt Lake City, which still doesn't have an announced
headliner. The pair faced off back in 2018, when Nunes won via
first-round KO.

Cris Cyborg calls for Amanda Nunes rematch after UFC 332
headliner uncertainty

A women's flyweight title fight between Valentina
Shevchenko and Natalia
Silva was rumored for UFC 332, but recent reports indicate
Shevchenko has been forced to withdraw. With other UFC champions
having recently fought or already booked for later events, the
promotion appears to be scrambling to find a viable headliner.

Cyborg has offered a solution. The former UFC champ took to X to
call for a rematch with her former foe, Nunes. The latter was
expected to take on Kayla
Harrison earlier this year, but a neck injury to Harrison saw
the matchup fall through.

“[Amanda Nunes] tired of waiting for [Kayla Harrison]?†Cyborg
wrote on X. “Feel like saving an UFC event?â€

They initially squared off at
UFC 232 in December 2018, when Nunes emerged victorious to
become a double champ. “The Lioness†retired in 2023, while Cyborg
most recently competed at
PFL Tampa on Aug. 22, defeating Ketlen
Vieira by unanimous decision in what was expected to be her
final mixed martial arts bout.

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MMA

UFC Paris: 'Hooker vs. Parnasse' Live Results and Highlights

Published

5 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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UFC Paris: 'Hooker vs. Parnasse' Live Results and Highlights
Trending:

NSAC doubles down on punishment for UFC 329 fighters, fines Paddy Pimblett and two other big names

The Octagon returns to France for today's UFC Paris event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by Dan Hooker vs. Salahdine Parnasse.

Hooker (24-14 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. ‘The Hangman' most previously competed this past February at UFC 325 in Sydney, where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis. That setback was preceded by a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November of last year. Prior to those defeats, Dan Hooker had put together a three-fight winning streak, a stretch which included victories over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.

Meanwhile, Salahdine Parnasse (23-2 MMA) will be making his Octagon debut this evening in Paris. The former two-division KSW champion will enter the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming over Kenneth Cross at May's ‘Rousey vs. Carano' MVP MMA event.

Today's UFC Paris event is co-headlined by a lightweight bout featuring Fares Ziam taking on Axel Sola.

Ziam (18-5 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a decision loss to Tom Nolan in his most recent Octagon appearance this past June. Prior to that setback, the ‘Smile Killer' had strung together a six-fight winning streak, a stretch which included knockout victories over Matt Frevola and Nazim Sadykhov.

Meanwhile, Axel Sola (12-1-1 MMA) most previously competed this past July, where he scored a first-round submission victory over Ismael Bonfim. Prior to that triumph, the Frenchman was coming off the first loss of his professional career which he suffered at the hands of Mason Jones by way of unanimous decision.

If that wasn't enough to get you interested, today's UFC Paris main card lineup also features a highly anticipated middleweight contest between Michael Page and Nursulton Ruziboev.

Michael ‘Venom' Page walking out at UFC London. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Page (25-3 MMA) will enter the bout on a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring decision victories over Sharabutdin Magomedov, Jared Cannonier and Sam Patterson in his most recent Octagon appearances. Prior to those triumphs, ‘Venom' had suffered a decision loss to recent UFC welterweight title challenger Ian Machado Garry.

Meanwhile, Nursulton Ruziboev (37-9-2 MMA) also currently boasts a three-fight winning streak, with his most recent Octagon victory coming over Andrey Pulyaev via submission this past June. The Uzbekistan native has gone 12-1 over his past thirteen fights overall.

Get all of today's live results and highlights below:

UFC Paris Main Card (3pm EST on Paramount+)

Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Salahdine Parnasse –

Lightweight: Farès Ziam vs. Axel Sola –

Middleweight: Michael Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev –

Welterweight: Daniil Donchenko vs. Punahele Soriano –

Featherweight: Kurtis Campbell vs. Trevor Peek –

Featherweight: Losene Keita vs. Muhammad Naimov –

UFC Paris Prelims (12pm EST on Paramount+)

Featherweight: Morgan Charrière vs. Felipe Lima –

Heavyweight: Mário Pinto vs. Ryan Spann –

Light Heavyweight – Oumar Sy vs. Modestas Bukauskas – Bukauskas def. Sy via TKO (knee and punches) at 3:57 of Round 2

Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood vs. Pavel Andrusca – Andrusca def. Wood by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Flyweight: Michael Aljarouj vs. Fabià Sintes – Sintes def. Aljarouj by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 29-27)

Women's Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Klaudia Syguła – Cornolle def. Syguła by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Middleweight: Matthieu Letho Duclos vs. Luis Felipe Dias – Duclos def. Dias via TKO (punches) at 4:35 of Round 1

Women's Strawweight: Delphine Benouaich vs. Sofia Montenegro – Benouaich def. Montenegro via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:22 of Round 2

Who are you picking to win today's event headliner between Dan Hooker and Salahdine Parnasse? Share your predictions in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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Movsar Evloev has a blunt response to Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 333 plan

Published

7 hours ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

Movsar Evloev has a blunt response to Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 333 plan
While Movsar
Evloev is grateful to be taking on a legend in his maiden title
bout in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, the Russian foresees one-way
traffic.

Evloev (20-0) is set to challenge Volkanovski (28-4) for the UFC
featherweight championship in the
UFC 333 main event on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. The matchup has
been brewing for quite some time now and Evloev claims his skills
have improved, predicting he'll have his way against the two-time
Aussie champ.

Movsar Evloev questions Alexander Volkanovski's strategy ahead
of their UFC 333 title fight

Evloev opened up about his upcoming fight with Volkanovski in an
interview with MMA Junkie, in which he outlined his improvements in
the striking department.

“To become a champion while beating a legend, that’s the dream of
fighters,†Evloev said. “My skills are getting better. My striking,
everyone noticed, is a little bit better than I do before. We’re
confident to fight with a guy like Alex. We respect him. We’ll
respect him even after we beat him. Nothing but respect, but this
is my time.â€

Volkanovski has previously expressed confidence in his ability to
deal with Evloev’s wrestling pressure and force the fight into a
striking battle. The latter questions the champ's approach.

“He's been a little illogical,†Evloev added. “I will do anything I
want. Whenever I decide to take him down, I will take him down… I’m
not scared of his striking skills, too. He’s great. But like I
said, my time is coming. Oct. 24, everybody will see. I’m going to
win.â€

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