Garry believes their showdown could become Ireland versus Dagestan 2, continuing the rivalry started between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Throughout their buildup, Garry has consistently attempted to provoke Makhachev, creating additional tension surrounding an already highly anticipated championship contest.

However, Makhachev appears unfazed by Garry’s trash talk and remains focused on proving his superiority inside the Octagon this Saturday. ‘He acts like he’s a bad guy, tries to do too much interviews. The crowd is gonna be on my side because nobody likes my opponent. We will make him humble,” said Islam Makhachev via UFC.

Garry has mentioned that the hate he receives on social media is manufactured rather than authentic and driven by narratives manufactured online. He also believes his recent opponents have been significantly tougher than the competition Makhachev has faced throughout his recent run.

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Top welterweight predicts Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev has remained undefeated in his last 16 fights, equaling Anderson Silva’s record while establishing himself among UFC’s greatest champions. Heading into the fight, Makhachev aims to surpass Silva’s record and maintain his dominant form. As expected, several professional fighters have closely followed the highly anticipated matchup, offering their predictions.

Top welterweight contender Carlos Prates has also shared his prediction, surprisingly siding with Ian Garry despite previously fighting and losing against him. “UFC 330. Ian Garry is gonna beat Makhachev by decision. I don’t know if it’s a unanimous or split decision,” said Carlos Prates via UFC.

Carlos Prates is currently ranked #1 in the welterweight rankings and is expected to fight for the title next. Makhachev has already talked about finishing Garry and then taking care of Prates in his next outing.

READ MORE: Marat Grigorian Carried More Than A Game Plan Into His Latest Win

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The post “Make Him Humble”- Islam Makhachev Sends Chilling Warning To Ian Garry Ahead Of UFC 330 first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

The three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion delivered a striking clinic against Russian standout Mamuka Usubyan at The Inner Circle 25, booking his ticket into the semifinals of the ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament with a clear-cut decision win at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this past Friday, August 7. It marked his 71st professional victory and fourth straight on ONE Championship’s global stage.

The Armenian leaned heavily on his Dutch-style kickboxing throughout the contest, mixing heavy punch-kick combinations with relentless forward pressure and footwork that left Usubyan searching for answers all night. Grigorian had accurately predicted his opponent would avoid trading in close quarters, and Usubyan spent much of the fight creating distance rather than engaging.

“It was just a little bit difficult to perform well because he was just running away. He was just here to make points. That’s what I was already thinking,” he said.

“But when your opponent is all the time running away, you can’t make that fight really good. I was just the one who was making the fight happen. But it is what it is. But yes, we made it happen, and we won clearly.”

At 35, Grigorian does not take moments like these for granted, and he opened up about just how much pressure sat on his shoulders heading into the biggest stages of his career.

“I’m giving this a 10 out of 10 because there is a lot of pressure, a lot of media, and a lot of private things happening in life. To stand here at this stage and deliver a big performance is already a great opportunity. The pressure is crazy, you cannot understand this feeling and pressure,” he said.

Grigorian now moves on to face “The Handsome White Dragon” Luo Chao in the tournament semifinals, with the winner advancing toward a possible fourth encounter with reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon, a rivalry Grigorian has waited two years to settle.

“I’ve already been waiting two years for Superbon. But, you know, I don’t care. As long as I’m fighting, for me it doesn’t matter.”

READ MORE: Abdulla Dayakaev Got The Win He Wanted, Just Not The Way He Wanted It

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The post Marat Grigorian Carried More Than A Game Plan Into His Latest Win first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

“Smash Boy” walked away from The Inner Circle 25 with a second straight victory over ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek, but their bantamweight Muay Thai rematch ended just 39 seconds into round two at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium when Superlek’s right leg buckled during an exchange, forcing a stoppage. The official TKO moved Dayakaev’s record to 17-3 and closed the book on a rivalry he never wanted to end this way.

“I don’t know how it would have ended. I believed before this fight that it would not go three rounds, for sure. But I don’t want to finish like this,” he said.

The opening round had been close, with Superlek catching Dayakaev with a sharp elbow and Dayakaev answering with a left hook before either man could fully find his rhythm. Dayakaev had planned to raise the pace once the second round began, and he was midway through doing exactly that when the fight ended abruptly.

Dayakaev had followed Superlek’s career long before they ever shared a ring, regarding the decorated Thai as one of the fighters who inspired him to compete at this level in the first place. That respect only deepened once the rematch reached its unfortunate conclusion.

“Thank you, Superlek, for everything, for these two fights. I wish you all the best. I wish you the best recovery and a fast recovery. I know you are a great fighter. You are legendary. I want to see you fight in kickboxing at 135 pounds again. I don’t want to fight with you again, but I respect you,” he said.

The 24-year-old Russian has no interest in turning the matchup into a trilogy, choosing instead to close that chapter with genuine gratitude rather than any lingering point to prove.

With his rivalry against Superlek seemingly finished, Dayakaev has already turned his attention toward the bantamweight Muay Thai division’s biggest prize, eyeing whoever emerges from Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon and Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri’s upcoming title fight at The Inner Circle 30.

“I want a World Title shot. Since my last loss, I’ve won two fights in a row, and I’ve beaten a legendary fighter twice. Right now, there’s almost nobody left. I want to fight the winner.”

READ MORE: Natalia Diachkova Turned Tragedy Into The Fighting Spirit Of A Lynx

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The post Abdulla Dayakaev Got The Win He Wanted, Just Not The Way He Wanted It first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

“Karelian Lynx” now challenges two-sport queen Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger for the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in the headliner of ONE Fight Night 46, streaming live in US primetime this Friday, August 14, from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. Getting to this moment required surviving a loss most people never have to carry.

Diachkova’s father brought her to a wrestling gym in Petrozavodsk hoping for a very different outcome, but everything changed the moment she watched a local coach named Ivan working a heavy bag inside a nearby Muay Thai gym. Her first official fight, under kickboxing rules, ended in defeat, and tragedy struck within weeks.

“After I lost my first fight, my dad was walking in the streets with my silver medal, telling everybody about me; he was so proud of me. And in just two weeks after my first fight, he died,” she said.

Raised afterward by her grandmother, Diachkova found stability in the same coach who had introduced her to the sport. Money was tight, and the two leaned on each other through genuine hardship.

“My coach was like both father and coach to me. There were times when we shared one patty and even lived in the basement of our gym. Those were difficult times when my grandmother was ill. He was a good father and leader,” she said.

That resilience eventually earned her a nickname born at a tournament held in memory of fallen soldiers, where a grieving mother compared her patient, precise style to a lynx. Diachkova opened her ONE run with four straight wins before a setback in her first World Title opportunity, a defeat she has since made peace with.

“I realized that everything that happened to me was for a reason, and I guess I’m thankful for it. All the changes that ought to have happened to me happened, and now I’m exactly where I should be,” she said.

Winning at Lumpinee Stadium this Friday would mean far more to her than a belt.

“I beat only myself, because we are all in different conditions. We don’t share the same starting line, so everyone beats themselves here.”

READ MORE: Nabil Anane Makes Good On Promise After Defeat At The Inner Circle 25

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The post Natalia Diachkova Turned Tragedy Into The Fighting Spirit Of A Lynx first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

“Always Hungry” makes the first defense of her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title against Russian standout Natalia “Karelian Lynx” Diachkova in the main event of ONE Fight Night 46, broadcasting live on Prime Video from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, August 14.

The 27-year-old Austrian became just the third two-sport women’s champion in ONE Championship history after beating Jackie Buntan twice to add the Muay Thai crown to her kickboxing title.

She insists that accomplishment has not softened her edge in the slightest.

“My mindset hasn’t changed. I’m always working hard, and my main goal is to become better, evolve, and get more skills as a fighter. Of course, I have two belts to defend, but the main goal is to give my best performance,” she said.

“My motto will be ‘Always Hungry.’ I am very, very hungry to win the fight and defend my belt.”

That hunger has carried her to a flawless 5-0 promotional record and an active seven-fight winning streak, built inside a demanding camp at Phuket Fight Club. Diachkova, who has rebounded from her only promotional loss with two straight wins, presents a real threat with heavy hands, but Hemetsberger says her confidence runs deeper than any single matchup.

“I’m confident in my weapons. I’m confident in my cardio, I’m confident in my hands. I’m also confident in my technical game, and my body kicks. So yeah, as a whole, I’m confident in everything I bring to the table,” she said.

Beyond her own championship ambitions, Hemetsberger has started looking at her growing platform as a tool for something bigger than herself.

“With what I’ve achieved and what I’m continuing to achieve, I just want to make the sport more popular and inspire more younger fighters, younger girls to train.

“Hopefully, it’ll also create opportunities for them so they have more chances to fight and have an easier route into the world of combat sports.”

READ MORE: Nabil Anane Makes Good On Promise After Defeat At The Inner Circle 25

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The post Stella Hemetsberger’s Hunger Has Not Faded One Bit Since Capturing Two ONE World Titles first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

Nabil Anane dropped a close split decision to three-division Lumpinee Stadium World Champion Suakim Pongsuphan PK in the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title eliminator headlining The Inner Circle 25 this past Friday, August 7. The defeat, his second in a row, arrived on the back of a second-round knockdown from a left hook and knee that proved decisive on the judges’ scorecards despite a hard-charging Anane surge in the third and final round.

True to a lighthearted vow he made before the fight, the 22-year-old shaved his head clean the moment the result was official.

“Yes guys, I’m alright. I’m home now. I just lost my fight against Suakim. Anyway, before the fight, I said I’d shave my head if I lost. Although I meant it as a joke at first. But let’s just ‘break the curse,'” he said.

“Thank you all for the support. Congratulations to Suakim on his victory. I’ll be back soon. I still have plenty of time. See you guys.”

That kind of grace under pressure has become something of a signature for the towering Thai-Algerian, even as his path back to undisputed gold has grown noticeably longer. Suakim’s win puts him directly in line for a shot at reigning champion Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon, the same fighter who dethroned Anane back in March.

Anane still owns every physical gift that made him champion in the first place, from his six-foot-four frame to knockout power in all eight limbs. Suakim, for his part, also walked away from Lumpinee Stadium with a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for his efforts. What Anane takes from this latest setback next will say plenty about the fighter he becomes on the other side of it.

For now, a shaved head and a lighter mood suggest a man in no rush to sulk, even with the road back to the top starting from further away than before.

READ MORE: UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry – Fight Card, Date, Time, How To Watch And More

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The post Nabil Anane Makes Good On Promise After Defeat At The Inner Circle 25 first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

The 25-year-old from Nakhon Phanom headlines The Inner Circle 26 against Lao striker Petnamkhong Sor Maneekhot in a strawweight Muay Thai main event, streaming live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, August 14. Long before either name meant anything on the weekly platform, Wanchainoi had already walked away from the sport entirely.

He left Muay Thai during COVID and reinvented himself as a pop star, releasing an album and building an online following through cover videos. When that chapter closed, he stepped away from music altogether to serve in the military before eventually finding his way back to the ring with fighting reaffirmed as his true priority.

That winding road has led to real results. Wanchainoi has strung together three consecutive wins at Lumpinee, including a bonus-winning first-round knockout of Dokmaipa Santiubon at ONE Friday Fights 160 that snapped his opponent’s four-fight winning streak.

Petnamkhong brings a far more traditional path but no less danger. The 22-year-old started with temple fights in Vientiane before a coach saw enough talent to send him across the border to Thailand, and he has been relentless ever since, riding his own three-fight winning streak into Friday’s main event.

His second-round TKO of Tonglampoon FA Group at ONE Friday Fights 149 announced him as a genuine threat in the division, and he arrives at Lumpinee on the best form of his career, dangerous in the clinch and lethal with knees and elbows.

Sharing the card is a bantamweight clash between PK Saenchai Muaythaigym technician Gingsanglek Wor Kumchamnarn, owner of one of the most venomous left body kicks in the division, and ONE newcomer Dmitri Ramos, an American southpaw looking to make an instant statement with his pressure-heavy style and dangerous straight left.

Three more Muay Thai matchups round out the August 14 lineup, including a lightweight clash between Petkhaokradong Lukjaomaesaithong and Vadzim Shapiatsiuk, plus two atomweight bouts pitting Bakjo Sitkhunma against Petsuphan Por Prajansi and Nongnuk Sor Dechapan against Saya Ito, giving Lumpinee Stadium a night packed with contrasting styles and rising stakes before the action shifts to ONE Fight Night 46 later that same evening.

READ MORE: UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry – Fight Card, Date, Time, How To Watch And More

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The post From Pop Star To Prizefighter, Wanchainoi Headlines A Loaded Night On August 14 first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight championship against No. 1 contender Ian Machado Garry in the main event, while Mackenzie Dern puts her women’s strawweight title on the line against Gillian Robertson in the co-main event. The event will take place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

UFC 330 Date, Time And How To Watch

UFC 330 takes place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The prelims are scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM ET, while the main card is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET according to the UFC’s current event listing. UFC has also listed the event’s headline time as 9:00 PM ET, so the exact start of the main event will depend on how long the earlier bouts last.

For viewers in the United States, UFC 330 will stream exclusively on Paramount+.

• Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
• Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Prelims: 5:00 PM ET
• Main Card: 8:00 PM ET
• Streaming: Paramount+

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UFC 330 Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry

Islam Makhachev will make his first defense of the UFC welterweight championship when he faces Ian Machado Garry.

Makhachev moved up to welterweight after establishing himself as one of the most dominant lightweight champions in UFC history. He captured the welterweight title at UFC 322 and will now attempt to successfully defend the championship for the first time.

Standing opposite him will be No. 1-ranked contender Ian Machado Garry. The Irishman has remained unbeaten in his professional MMA career and will enter the biggest fight of his career with the opportunity to become UFC welterweight champion.

The matchup presents a major stylistic challenge for both men. Makhachev’s elite wrestling and submission game will be tested against Garry’s rangy striking and movement.

UFC 330 Co-Main Event: Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson

Mackenzie Dern will make the first defense of her UFC women’s strawweight championship against Gillian Robertson.

Dern won the title last October and will now face Robertson, a Canadian-born submission specialist who holds the UFC women’s record for submission victories.

The fight could produce a fascinating grappling battle, with both competitors possessing highly regarded Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

UFC 330 Full Fight Card

Main Card

Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry — Welterweight Title Bout

Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson — Women’s Strawweight Title Bout

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dustin Stoltzfus — Middleweight

Neil Magny vs. Ramiz Brahimaj — Welterweight

Chidi Njokuani vs. Joel Alvarez — Welterweight

Edson Barboza vs. Esteban Ribovics — Lightweight

Preliminary Card

Jeremiah Wells vs. Myktybek Orolbai — Welterweight

Jalin Turner vs. Kaue Fernandes — Lightweight

Vicente Luque vs. Tresean Gore — Middleweight

Donte Johnson vs. Eric McConico — Middleweight

Erin Blanchfield vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius — Flyweight

READ MORE: Petninmungkorn And Pet Bring Two Different Stories Into One Life-Changing Night

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The post UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry – Fight Card, Date, Time, How To Watch And More first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

The 46-year-old Polish fighter found himself surrounded by six opponents, with the unusual contest quickly turning into a chaotic beating. Wach was repeatedly backed toward the cage as his opponents rotated in and attacked him in waves.

What makes the spectacle even more remarkable is the timing. Wach had only recently shared the ring with Tyson Fury in Thailand, making his decision to take part in such a physically demanding contest just weeks later even more surprising.

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Wach Gets Swarmed By Six Opponents

The unusual contest saw Wach take on six fighters simultaneously under modified combat sports rules.

Rather than having to deal with one opponent for an entire round, Wach was constantly confronted by fresh fighters. The sheer numbers made it extremely difficult for the veteran to create distance or recover, particularly when multiple opponents attacked him at the same time.

Wach was eventually left heavily marked up after absorbing a barrage of punches and kicks. The images from the fight showed the former heavyweight title challenger trapped against the cage while opponents continued to swarm him.

The contest was ultimately stopped, bringing an end to one of the strangest fights of Wach’s career.

Wach’s Fury Fight Came Just Weeks Earlier

The bizarre six-man fight came shortly after Wach faced Tyson Fury in Thailand.

Fury returned to action against the Polish heavyweight in July, with the bout taking place in Pattaya. The fight was staged as part of Fury’s comeback and was reportedly filmed for his reality series.

Fury controlled the contest before Wach’s corner stopped the fight after seven rounds. The result added another defeat to Wach’s record, but the veteran was back in action remarkably quickly.

Wach’s willingness to continue accepting unconventional challenges has become a notable part of the later stages of his career. The Polish heavyweight famously challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the unified heavyweight world titles in 2012, taking the champion the distance.

More than a decade later, Wach is competing in some of the most unusual combat sports contests imaginable. His latest 1-vs-6 appearance may well be one of the most brutal.

READ MORE: Petninmungkorn And Pet Bring Two Different Stories Into One Life-Changing Night

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The post Mariusz Wach Takes Insane Beating In 1-vs-6 Fight Weeks After Tyson Fury Clash first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

Following the setback, Topuria has been seen returning to training, creating excitement among fans eager to see his next challenge. The Georgian-Spanish star remains one of MMA’s names, and speculation surrounding his next opponent continues to generate plenty of attention.

Recently, Team Khabib manager Ali Abdelaziz discussed a potential blockbuster matchup between Usman Nurmagomedov and Topuria inside the UFC. Usman recently completed his last PFL bout and has been linked with a move to the UFC in the coming months.

According to Abdelaziz, Usman would dominate Topuria if the highly anticipated matchup eventually happens inside the UFC after Usman’s arrival. However, Topuria’s manager Malki Kawa offered a very different perspective, delivering a brutal response that quickly went viral online.

“Shut the f*ck up. Ilia Topuria would annihilate 100% of your roster. If we fought Gaethje again, he would fcking beat the sh*t out of him. We all know Ilia was better, he had a bad night. Ilia Topuria is still the #1 fighter in the world. When the comeback comes, you will see,” said Malki Kawa via Instagram.

The rivalry between Team Khabib and Ilia Topuria has been going on for a long time now. Previously, the former lightweight champion had wanted to fight Islam Makhachev, but that fight didn’t materialize.

Since Makhachev has moved up and Usman is potentially making his UFC debut, this fight definitely has fans intrigued. It would be interesting to see when the ‘El Matador’ finally decides to make his much-anticipated comeback.

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Top UFC welterweight mocks Ilia Topuria chances of moving up

Before losing his lightweight title, Ilia Topuria had plans to chase Islam Makhachev to the welterweight division. The fighter wanted to become the first-ever fighter in the promotion’s history to become a three-division champion.

However, following the recent loss, the invincible aura about Topuria has certainly gone down. Top welterweight contender Carlos Prates talked about this in detail. “He was going to d*e, bro… imagine him fighting me, imagine him fighting Morales. It’s not happening, bro. Topuria can punch, but there’s a huge difference in size and power. If he gets touched, he’s going down,” said Carlos Prates.

For now, other lightweights such as Paddy Pimblett are aiming to fight Ilia Topuria next. Given their past rivalry, it won’t be surprising to see UFC make that fight next.

READ MORE: Petninmungkorn And Pet Bring Two Different Stories Into One Life-Changing Night

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The post “Shut The F*ck Up”- Ilia Topuria’s Manager Fires Back at Team Khabib’s Ali Abdelaziz Over Provocative Comments first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.