MMA Brain UFC 330 Predictions: Makhachev vs. Garry, UFC Vegas 120 Fallout and This Week’s MMA News
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Jeremy makes his UFC 330 predictions, picking Ian Machado Garry over Islam Makhachev, Gillian Robertson over Mackenzie Dern, Jose Ochoa over Charles Johnson, Mansur Abdul-Malik over Dustin Stoltzfus and Esteban Ribovics over Edson Barboza.
The latest episode of MMA Brain had plenty to unpack.
From Conor McGregor going viral during his injury recovery and Mark Zuckerberg trading techniques with former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili, to Quillan Salkilld making a major statement against Mateusz Gamrot, the past week delivered no shortage of stories.
But the biggest conversation surrounds UFC 330, where welterweight champion Islam Makhachev meets Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia on Saturday, August 15.
On the latest MMA Brain episode, Jeremy Fairhurst broke down the week’s news, revisited the biggest results from UFC Vegas 120 and delivered his MMA Brain UFC 330 predictions — including a bold call in the championship main event.
Conor McGregor’s Drone Delivery Becomes the Latest Viral Moment
Even while recovering from another significant injury, Conor McGregor continues finding ways to generate attention.
A video circulated showing McGregor, on crutches and dealing with his surgically repaired knee, attempting to retrieve a MAC Energy drink from a delivery drone in front of a crowd.
The awkward exchange quickly went viral.
McGregor underwent surgery after suffering ACL and meniscus damage, and his recovery has again delayed questions surrounding when — or whether — fans will see him compete inside the UFC Octagon again. talkSPORT reported on McGregor’s post-surgery recovery, while the unusual drone delivery generated coverage internationally.
Fairhurst viewed the moment for what it appeared to be: part recovery update, part McGregor showmanship and part marketing campaign.
MMA Brain previously covered McGregor’s latest injury and its impact on his return timeline in “McGregor Injury, Colby Makes History”.
Mark Zuckerberg Spars With Merab Dvalishvili on Lake Tahoe
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s involvement in combat sports also returned to the headlines.
Zuckerberg appeared in footage sparring with former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili on a floating platform at Lake Tahoe. The pair worked through striking and grappling exchanges in another example of Zuckerberg’s well-documented interest in MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Business Insider reported on the unusual training session, while Complex detailed the Lake Tahoe footage.
Fairhurst wasn’t buying every exchange as legitimate competition — especially any sequence involving Zuckerberg getting the better of an elite-level wrestler — but the footage once again showed the Meta founder actively training rather than merely watching the sport from cageside.
Edson Barboza Admits the Finish Line Is Getting Closer
One of UFC 330’s most respected veterans could also be approaching the end of his career.
Edson Barboza, now 40 and preparing for his 33rd UFC appearance, has acknowledged that retirement is becoming a real consideration ahead of his fight against Esteban Ribovics.
Barboza has not officially announced that UFC 330 will be his final fight. However, he told reporters that the “finish line” is getting closer and acknowledged that Saturday night could potentially mark the end of his run. MMA Fighting reported Barboza’s comments ahead of UFC 330.
Fairhurst sees the matchup as a particularly dangerous one for an aging striker.
Barboza’s kicks remain among the most recognizable weapons in UFC history, but Ribovics brings aggression, finishing power and a willingness to turn fights into violent exchanges.
For Fairhurst, sentiment doesn’t outweigh the matchup. More on that prediction below.
Uroš Medić Won in 30 Seconds Despite a Torn Meniscus
Perhaps the most impressive revelation of the week came from Uroš Medić.
Medić disclosed that he injured his knee during fight week ahead of his UFC Belgrade main event against Daniel Rodriguez. According to Medić, the knee popped on the first day of fight week, leaving him limping while trying to prevent media members from noticing the problem.
He fought anyway.
Medić then stopped Rodriguez in just 30 seconds.
Sherdog reported that Medić was diagnosed with a likely meniscus tear and expects a relatively minor procedure following the victory.
The circumstances make an already impressive knockout considerably more remarkable.
Knowing prolonged movement could worsen the situation, Medić wasted almost no time before finding the finish.
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dillon Danis Set for RAF 14
Real American Freestyle continues finding ways to keep itself in the combat-sports conversation.
Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis are scheduled to meet at RAF 14 on October 3 in Las Vegas, with the promotion’s inaugural Middleweight Crossover Championship attached to the matchup.
Tsarukyan is coming off a close RAF loss to Colby Covington and also has UFC business ahead of him, while Danis remains one of combat sports’ most polarizing personalities.
MMA Fighting confirmed the Tsarukyan-Danis matchup and championship stakes.
Fairhurst’s reaction mixed skepticism with an acknowledgment that the formula is working.
Tsarukyan continues generating headlines outside the UFC, while virtually anything involving Danis attracts attention. Whether the matchup ultimately becomes remembered for high-level grappling or the drama surrounding it remains another question.
UFC Vegas 120 Recap: Salkilld Makes His Statement
Before turning toward the MMA Brain UFC 330 predictions, Fairhurst revisited a UFC Vegas 120 card that produced several important results.
The main card concluded with the following outcomes:
- Quillan Salkilld def. Mateusz Gamrot by rear-naked choke at 4:25 of Round 1.
- Diego Ferreira def. Billy Quarantillo by unanimous decision.
- Yadier del Valle def. Darren Elkins by first-round stoppage at 0:35.
- Alexia Thainara def. Amanda Lemos by unanimous decision.
- Ty Miller def. Billy Ray Goff by TKO at 0:15 of Round 3.
The UFC’s official results confirmed a night that could have lasting consequences in several divisions.
Quillan Salkilld Is No Longer Just a Prospect
The biggest development came in the main event.
Salkilld didn’t simply defeat an established lightweight contender in Gamrot. He submitted a fighter who had proven extremely difficult to finish throughout his career.
The UFC noted afterward that before Salkilld, Charles Oliveira was the only fighter to submit Gamrot in his professional MMA career.
That matters.
Fairhurst believes Salkilld has moved beyond prospect status and deserves an opponent capable of pushing him significantly higher in the lightweight rankings.
There was no need for an elaborate post-fight callout. Salkilld’s performance delivered the message.
Alexia Thainara Passes an Important Test
Alexia Thainara also strengthened her position with a unanimous-decision victory over longtime contender Amanda Lemos.
Fairhurst came away impressed by more than the result.
Thainara showed she could compete physically in hard striking exchanges while maintaining enough composure and control to beat an experienced opponent over the distance.
Fairhurst stopped short of immediately labeling her championship-ready, but the Lemos victory established Thainara as a serious name to watch.
Darren Elkins’ Career Ends the Hard Way
Then there was Darren Elkins.
The 30-fight UFC veteran entered the matchup against Yadier del Valle knowing it would be his final walk to the Octagon. The ending offered no Hollywood sendoff.
Del Valle stopped him just 35 seconds into the opening round.
It was a brutal ending to a career built largely around toughness, durability and Elkins’ almost absurd ability to survive difficult situations.
Yet there was something fitting about Elkins sticking to his decision afterward. One final result did not erase the body of work that made “The Damage” one of the UFC’s most recognizable action fighters.
MMA Brain UFC 330 Predictions
Now comes Philadelphia.
UFC 330 takes place Saturday, August 15, with Islam Makhachev defending the UFC welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry. The card also features Mackenzie Dern defending against Gillian Robertson, plus several matchups Fairhurst sees as opportunities for rising fighters.
Here are Jeremy Fairhurst’s official MMA Brain UFC 330 predictions.
Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry
Jeremy’s Pick: Ian Machado Garry by KO
This is the bold one.
Makhachev enters at 28-1 and has built one of the sport’s most dominant modern runs. After ruling the lightweight division, he moved to welterweight and captured another UFC championship.
Garry enters at 17-1, with his lone professional defeat coming against Shavkat Rakhmonov. He has since rebuilt momentum and now gets the biggest opportunity of his career.
Fairhurst believes the physical dimensions could make this fight considerably more difficult for Makhachev than some expect.
Garry stands approximately five inches taller and owns roughly a four-inch reach advantage. UFC statistics also list him with an 80 percent takedown-defense rate.
That does not make him immune to Makhachev’s grappling.
If Makhachev puts Garry flat on his back and establishes control, Fairhurst gives the champion a major advantage. The concern is getting there consistently against a much longer welterweight who can use distance, oblique kicks and lateral movement to make clean entries difficult.
Fairhurst’s argument comes down to Garry’s versatility.
He doesn’t necessarily view Garry as the world’s best pure striker, wrestler or grappler. Instead, he sees a fighter who has become extremely effective at identifying which skill he needs at a particular moment and adjusting accordingly.
Against Makhachev, that adaptability could become his biggest weapon.
Fairhurst’s official prediction: Ian Machado Garry by knockout.
What About an Islam Makhachev Retirement?
This is one area where the podcast’s speculation and the current reporting diverge.
Fairhurst believes Makhachev could walk away after UFC 330, particularly if he wins another major championship fight and decides there is little left to prove.
Makhachev himself says otherwise.
Ahead of the event, he publicly denied the retirement rumors, saying he wants to continue competing, chase more records and remain in the sport for years. MMA Mania reported Makhachev’s response to the speculation.
So, while Fairhurst sees retirement as a possible post-fight storyline, there is currently no confirmed indication from Makhachev that UFC 330 will be his final fight.
Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson
Jeremy’s Pick: Gillian Robertson
Few fights on the card offer a more interesting grappling clash.
Mackenzie Dern remains one of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists in women’s MMA. Gillian Robertson, meanwhile, has developed into a dangerous grappler in her own right and owns the UFC women’s record for submission victories.
Fairhurst believes Robertson’s wrestling and ability to establish top position could determine the fight.
There is an obvious danger in willingly taking Dern to the ground. A successful takedown can become the beginning of a submission sequence for Dern just as quickly as it can become offensive control for her opponent.
That is precisely what makes the matchup fascinating.
Fairhurst believes Robertson has reached a point where her control, strength and grappling awareness can survive Dern’s submission threats and allow her to dictate enough of the fight to win.
Fairhurst’s pick: Gillian Robertson.
Charles Johnson vs. José Ochoa
Jeremy’s Pick: José Ochoa by First-Round KO
Fairhurst didn’t need much time for this prediction.
Charles Johnson brings experience, length and a difficult style, and UFC 330 is scheduled to mark his fourth UFC appearance of 2026.
But Fairhurst believes José Ochoa’s finishing ability will overwhelm him.
Ochoa enters with seven knockouts among his nine professional victories, giving Fairhurst enough confidence to predict that the younger finisher will find Johnson early.
Fairhurst’s pick: José Ochoa by first-round knockout.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
Jeremy’s Pick: Mansur Abdul-Malik
Fairhurst sees this as a rebound opportunity for Mansur Abdul-Malik.
The Dana White’s Contender Series graduate has built his reputation around finishing fights. His nine professional victories include seven knockouts and two submissions, with seven of those finishes coming in the opening round.
Dustin Stoltzfus brings substantially more professional experience and legitimate submission ability, but his UFC run has struggled to build sustained momentum.
Fairhurst believes the matchup favors Abdul-Malik’s explosiveness and expects him to return to the win column.
Fairhurst’s pick: Mansur Abdul-Malik.
Edson Barboza vs. Esteban Ribovics
Jeremy’s Pick: Esteban Ribovics
This was the prediction Fairhurst clearly didn’t enjoy making.
Barboza has supplied UFC highlight reels for years. His speed, spinning attacks, body kicks and devastating leg kicks turned him into one of the most feared kickers of his generation.
But fights aren’t decided by nostalgia.
Ribovics enters with a 15-3 professional record, including seven knockouts and five submissions, and his aggressive style creates exactly the type of sustained pressure that concerns Fairhurst against the 40-year-old Barboza.
There remains an obvious path for Barboza. If he controls range, attacks the legs and punishes Ribovics for reckless entries, the veteran still possesses enough technique to create one more spectacular moment.
Fairhurst admitted he wanted to make the sentimental pick.
He didn’t.
Fairhurst’s pick: Esteban Ribovics, with a stoppage a real possibility.
A Massive Night Ahead at UFC 330
UFC 330 offers far more than a championship main event.
Makhachev has the opportunity to reinforce his standing among the best fighters of his generation. Garry can completely transform the welterweight hierarchy with one victory. Robertson gets the chance to topple Dern, Barboza could be approaching his final walk, and fighters such as Ochoa and Abdul-Malik have opportunities to make statements.
Then there is Fairhurst’s biggest prediction of the week.
Ian Machado Garry over Islam Makhachev. By knockout.
It is the kind of prediction that will either look remarkably sharp after Saturday night or give Fairhurst plenty to answer for on next week’s episode.
That’s part of the fun.
Watch the complete discussion and hear the reasoning behind all of Jeremy Fairhurst’s MMA Brain UFC 330 predictions on the latest episode of MMA Brain from JMurrayAthletics.
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