UFC 330: Ian Machado Garry's Eddie Hearn gamble comes to a head

Ian Machado Garry secured a UFC 330 title shot against Islam Makhachev two months before revealing his partnership with Matchroom Talent Agency. Garry's collaboration with Eddie Hearn, the UFC's most formidable opponent, was made public simultaneously. Matchroom Talent Agency's first signing was Tom Aspinall, who found himself on the wrong side of the UFC CEO after UFC 321.

Hearn had pursued commercial interests for Aspinall due to White's signing of Conor Benn as a Matchroom talent. The back-and-forth between White and Hearn has become a subject of interest in combat sports. Garry, who never shied away from praising himself and his team, suddenly became aware of how his collaboration with Hearn could complicate matters with White and the UFC.

He emphasized that his Matchroom signing had nothing to do with his UFC dealings and everything to do with building his brand outside the Octagon. Garry's signing with Matchroom came after his successful debut at Madison Square Garden and various fights against top contenders. Despite being seen as the top contender, he believes his task is the toughest a challenger has ever faced, but he is confident he will defeat Makhachev in Philadelphia on Saturday night.

If he fails, the new reality of the post-Hearn era will be revealed. The stakes are high, as Garry's success could grant him the biggest fight of his career and an immediate rematch with Makhachev.