UFC 330 left defending champions facing challenging futures. Islam Makhachev retained his welterweight title, but Ian Machado Garry showcased vulnerabilities that could embolden contenders. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern defended her strawweight title but raised questions about her standing in the division.

Makhachev faced a tough battle against Garry, whose defense and striking created significant challenges for one of MMA's top champions. The fight highlighted the rising threat of contenders like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, both seen ringside, indicating their readiness for the next level.

Mackenzie Dern demonstrated notable improvements in her first title defense, particularly in striking, yet Gillian Robertson's late resurgence in the fight cast doubt on Dern’s dominance. The looming presence of Zhang Weili remains a crucial benchmark for Dern, as many await her chance to prove herself against the former champion.

Proposed Matchups:

Welterweight

• Islam Makhachev vs. Carlos Prates: Makhachev's title reign is under scrutiny after barely overcoming Garry. Prates deserves the title shot after impressive knockouts over former champions, including Jack Della Maddalena and Leon Edwards.

• Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Morales: Garry's tough fight raised his profile, making a matchup against Morales logical, particularly if Prates claims the title shot. This could serve as a co-main event alongside Makhachev vs. Prates.

Women's Strawweight

• Mackenzie Dern vs. Zhang Weili: Dern's performance needs validation through a fight with Zhang, the former champion. If Zhang is unavailable, a bout with Tatiana Suarez could provide an intriguing stylistic challenge for Dern's reign.