UFC 330 Press Conference: Makhachev Faces Garry

Islam Makhachev and challenger Ian Machado Garry faced off Thursday at the UFC 330 pre-fight press conference in Philadelphia, two days before the welterweight champion makes his first title defense.

Makhachev, widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts, moved up from lightweight and captured the 170-pound strap with a dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena earlier this year, per MMA Fighting. Garry brings a 17-1 overall record and a 10-1 UFC mark into Saturday's main event.

Dern-Robertson Strawweight Title Fight Set for Co-Main

The co-main event features strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern defending her belt for the first time against Gillian Robertson. Dern claimed the vacant 115-pound title by beating Virna Jandiroba and has won three straight fights.

Robertson enters on a five-fight winning streak with victories over Amanda Lemos, Marina Rodriguez, and Michelle Waterson-Gomez. The matchup represents her first shot at UFC gold.

The press conference aired Thursday evening from Philadelphia. UFC 330 takes place Saturday night.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — UFC 330 press conference video