Islam Makhachev cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history on Saturday night, defending his UFC welterweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia. The win extended Makhachev’s winning streak to 17 consecutive fights, breaking the previous UFC record of 16 held by Hall of Famer Anderson Silva.
The judges scored the contest 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of the Russian champion, who improved his professional record to 29-1. Makhachev controlled the 25-minute championship bout with suffocating top pressure and relentless chain wrestling, while also showcasing dynamic striking, including a damaging head kick in the second round.
Makhachev Surpasses Silva’s Historic Mark
Anderson Silva’s 16-fight winning streak, achieved between 2006 and 2013, stood as one of the most revered records in UFC history. By surpassing that mark, Makhachev has now positioned himself firmly in the conversation for the greatest fighter of all time. The Dagestan native has been the UFC’s pound-for-pound top-ranked fighter and continues to build a resume that few can match.
“It’s always hard,” Makhachev said after the fight, acknowledging the challenge of grinding out a victory in the championship rounds against a game opponent.
Machado Garry Falls Short in Title Bid
Ian Machado Garry, who was bidding to become only the second undisputed UFC champion from Ireland, showed resilience throughout the fight. The challenger displayed diligent defensive scrambles on the ground to survive multiple dangerous positions but struggled to mount significant offense against Makhachev’s relentless pressure.
“I have nothing but respect for Islam. He won. I have no complaints, no excuses,” Machado Garry said inside the Octagon after the decision. His professional record now stands at 17-2.
Dern Defends Strawweight Title in Co-Main Event
In the co-main event, UFC women’s strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern successfully defended her title for the first time, defeating Canada’s Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision with identical scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Dern, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist fighting out of Southern California, controlled the pace on the mat across all five rounds.
Dern’s most dangerous moment came in the opening frame when she nearly secured a rear-naked choke just before the horn sounded. Despite her pre-fight confidence that she would finish Robertson inside the distance, the champion expressed satisfaction with her complete performance.
“She’s good. Thank you, everyone. I appreciate you,” Dern said after her victory, improving her record to 17-5.
What’s Next for the UFC
The UFC now heads to the West Coast for a Fight Night event in Sacramento, California, next Saturday. The card will be headlined by a five-round middleweight bout between Anthony Hernandez, who fights out of nearby El Dorado Hills, and Brazil’s Gregory Rodrigues. The event will feature a 13-fight slate.
