Dana White announces two title fights for UFC 330 in Philly. But will a local fighter make the card?
UFC is bringing a numbered event to Philly for the first time in over 15 years, and the fight card for the August event is starting to come together.
At least two titles will be on the line as the UFC makes its return to Philly for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
UFC president Dana White joined The Pat McAfee Show Wednesday and announced that Islam Makhachev (28-1) will defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry (17-1). This will be Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense since he vacated his lightweight title and defeated Jack Della Maddalena by decision at UFC 322 in November for the welterweight title.
Additionally, Mackenzie Dern (16-5) will defend her women’s strawweight title for the first time against Gillian Robertson (17-8). After the belt was vacated by Zhang Weili, Dern earned the vacant title in October after a five-round decision win over Virna Jandiroba.
“This is the first time we’re back in Philly since 2019 … I love Philly, I love Philly cheesesteaks … and I can’t wait to get back there. The fans are the best,” White said, adding that he loves going to Celtics games and getting trash talked by Sixers fans.
In 2019, the UFC held a Fight Night in Philly, featuring a main event between Justin Gaethje and Edson Barboza. But UFC 330 will be the first numbered event and first title fight held in Philadelphia in a decade and a half — dating back to UFC 133 in 2011, which featured Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz as the main event.
Will there be a Philly fighter?
The last time the UFC was in town, there wasn’t a local fighter on the card, despite the city’s deep roster of talent, although former Philly fighter-turned-broadcaster Paul Felder was in the booth.
So as the UFC 330 card continues to develop, here are some Philly fighters that could potentially be featured …
Kyle Daukaus: Daukaus (17-5) was just featured on the White House card where he suffered a knockout loss to former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal. Ahead of the fight, if he suffered no serious injuries, he expressed that he would love to make the quick turnaround to fight at UFC 330.
Sean Brady: Brady (19-2) is someone who wears his Philly roots as a “badge of honor.” After suffering a tough loss to Michael Morales in November, he bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley in May at UFC 328.
Joe Pyfer: Pyfer (16-3) is coming off the biggest win of his career, finishing former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the first round. What helped him find his way? God and a little bit of Celine Dion.
Pat Sabatini: Sabatini (22-5) is currently on a four-fight win streak with his latest win over William Gomis at May’s UFC 328 coming via decision. Sabatini has been training in Northeast Philly since he was five years old, hanging up his hockey pads for a gi.
Andre Petroski: Petroski (13-7) is currently on a three-fight losing skid. And when he’s not focused on his own training, he’s acting as the Flyers’ fight coach alongside bare knuckle fighter Johnny Garbarino.
Jeremiah Wells: Wells (13-4) bounced back from two consecutive losses with a decision win over Themba Gorimbo in November. The West Philly native attended Overbrook and was a standout wrestler before moving to the Poconos to train and work.
