UFC 330 main and co-main event predictions
· Yahoo Sports
Fight week is finally here, as one of the best title fights of 2026 takes place on Saturday night. UFC 330 features the MMA promotion’s return to Philadelphia. This is the first event in the City of Brotherly Love since 2019.
Headlining UFC 330 is the welterweight championship. Islam Makhachev defends his belt for the first time against Ian Machado Garry. Makhachev is chasing history, looking to break Anderson Silva’s winning streak record of 16 consecutive wins.
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For Machado Garry, a win means securing one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Despite being a polarizing personality, Machado Garry can become one of the biggest stars in the sport with a win against Makhachev.
The co-main event features another title fight, down at 115 pounds. Strawweight champion Makenzie Dern defends her belt for the first time against longtime UFC veteran Gillian Robertson. It was certainly a shock when the fight was announced.
Most MMA fans presumed former champ Zhang Weili would come back down to 115 pounds to get her belt back. Since that’s not the case, Robertson gets the opportunity of a lifetime.
Both fights are super interesting from a stylistic standpoint, but there have to be winners and losers. Here are my predictions for the top of UFC 330.
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Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry
Nov 15, 2025; New York, NY, UNITED STATES; Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Jack Della Maddalena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Makhachev via Unanimous Decision
There’s zero reason to think Makhachev is slowing down anytime soon. Machado Garry does present much better grappling than Jack Della Maddalena, and overall takedown defense. The question for Machado Garry is how much he can take advantage of the striking exchanges.
Machado Garry’s takedown defense has been great throughout his UFC career. That won’t matter on Saturday night; Machado Garry has never fought Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev should be able to bank rounds with control time on the ground. While it may result in a boring outcome similar to the Della Maddalena fight, it works. Makhachev is also good enough on the feet that Machado Garry won’t have an enormous advantage in that area.
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Makenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Mackenzie Dern fights against Amanda Lemos during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Makenzie Dern via Split Decision
Expect a long fight. Dern and Robertson are both elite grapplers who can secure positional advantages for long stretches of rounds.
Since both fighters are grappling specialists, two things can happen in this fight. The first is that their grappling cancels out and the fight mostly plays out on the feet. Second would be that it primarily plays out on the ground, and one of the two fighters has more of an advantage than most would think entering this weekend.
The first feels pretty likely; both women will have their moments, but ultimately this could be a battle on the feet. Dern is the more active striker, averaging just under 3.5 significant strikes per minute, compared to Robertson’s 2.71.
Pace and cardio will be key for Dern, and she should be able to keep a higher pace than Robertson over five rounds. Along with the volume advantage, Dern will edge out rounds with takedowns and brief moments of control.
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