Massive twist for Islam Makhachev’s comeback — Surprise title clash now headlining August card!
Fresh reports are suggesting that the strawweight title will be up for grabs in Philadelphia. Michael Morales, the unbeaten welterweight, has come out and said he’ll be facing Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Fresh reports are suggesting that the strawweight title will be up for grabs in Philadelphia. Michael Morales, the unbeaten welterweight, has come out and said he’ll be facing Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15. Earlier this month, Makhachev mentioned that nothing had been set in stone just yet.
Still, Ariel Helwani and others had reported that a matchup with Ian Machado Garry was being discussed for that date. The details around Makhachev’s next fight are still unclear, but Mackenzie Dern seems set to make her first strawweight title defence when the Octagon heads back to Philadelphia. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Strawweight title clash between Mackenzie Dern and Gillian Robertson expected at UFC 330 Reports surfaced on 20 May from MagicM_MMABets on X that Mackenzie Dern is expected to put her strawweight title on the line against Gillian Robertson at UFC 330, scheduled for 15 August.
The rumour gained traction when Arsenal Sports Agency, which represents Dern, shared a GIF of the champion on Instagram, hinting at the bout without offering a formal statement. Dern has not fought since she captured the vacant title last October. Meanwhile, Robertson extended her win streak to five earlier this year with a victory over former title challenger Amanda Lemos.
The two fighters hold records for most submission wins in their respective divisions – Dern has five at strawweight, while Robertson leads flyweight with six. After Zhang Weili’s move up to flyweight ended in defeat to Valentina Shevchenko, many expected her to return to strawweight and chase the belt she once held. There’s been no official word yet on her plans.