Ian Machado Garry will become the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to compete for a UFC championship when he faces Islam Makhachev for the welterweight belt at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15.
The 28-year-old, ranked No. 1 in the division, aims to dethrone Makhachev, who is making his first title defense since capturing the belt last year. Machado Garry last fought in November, defeating former champion Belal Muhammad.
Since joining the UFC in 2021 after winning the welterweight title on the UK-based Cage Warriors circuit, Machado Garry has compiled a 10-1 record in the promotion. His only loss came in a 2024 contender bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov, who has since been sidelined by injury and removed from the rankings.
Makhachev, 34, won the welterweight belt by beating Jack Della Maddalena last year, becoming a two-division champion after vacating the lightweight title. A victory over Machado Garry would break Anderson Silva's record of 16 consecutive UFC wins.
Machado Garry secured the title shot ahead of second-ranked Carlos Prates and third-ranked Michael Morales. Prates, who lost to Machado Garry in April 2024, has knocked out his last three opponents, while Morales remains undefeated at 19-0.
The co-main event features strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern defending her belt for the first time against Canada's Gillian Robertson. Dern, 33, won the title in October with her third straight victory, while Robertson enters on a five-fight winning streak.