UFC sets Makhachev title defense against Gary, with Dern also headlining in Philadelphia

UFC has announced two championship bouts for UFC 330, including a welterweight title defense by Islam Makhachev against Ian Machado Garry. The event will take place on August 15 in Philadelphia, and the Garry fight is one of the card’s major attractions as Makhachev aims to keep his belt.

The matchup carries extra attention because Garry recently spoke out against antisemitic abuse he said flooded his social media posts. He posted a video a few weeks ago explaining that he had turned off comments, saying, “I thought we learned a long time ago, in the 40s, that this is not okay. I closed the comments on my posts to control it. Nobody should come to my page and spread hate, we need to keep the peace.”

Makhachev has also drawn controversy in the past for repeated anti-Israel statements and for declaring support for Palestine and its struggle several weeks after October 7. The article says the bout should be a major title fight.

UFC also confirmed another title fight for the same event. Mackenzie Dern, the strawweight champion, will make her first defense against Gillian Robertson. That fight will serve as the co-main event in Philadelphia.