Islam Makhachev Sets UFC Record with 17th Straight Victory at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship on Saturday night, defeating Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 330 held in Philadelphia. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Makhachev, who now boasts a remarkable 29-1 MMA record.

With this victory, Makhachev extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive fights, surpassing the previous UFC record of 16 held by Hall of Famer Anderson Silva from 2006 to 2013. Makhachev showcased his dominance throughout the 25-minute championship bout, employing effective top control and chain wrestling, while also delivering a significant head kick in the second round.

Garry’s Resilience

Despite Makhachev’s control, Garry remained resilient, executing defensive scrambles to evade danger but struggled to generate enough offense to sway the judges. After the fight, Garry expressed his respect for Makhachev, stating, “I have nothing but respect for Islam … he won. I have no complaints, no excuses.”

Makhachev reflected on the challenge of the fight, acknowledging the difficulty of securing a victory in the championship rounds. “It’s always hard,” he said, highlighting the intensity of the competition.

Co-Main Event Highlights

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 by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47). Dern controlled the pace throughout the fight, consistently threatening with grappling and submission attempts. Her most notable moment came in the opening round when she nearly secured a rear-naked choke just before the bell.

While Dern had aimed for a finish, she expressed satisfaction with her performance, stating, “She’s good … thank you (everyone). I appreciate you.”

Notable Performances on the Card

California lightweight Jalin Turner made a statement with a swift first-round knockout of Brazil’s Kaue Fernandes, finishing the fight in just 39 seconds. Turner expressed his desire for a top-15 ranked opponent in his next bout.

Dustin Stoltzfus snapped a two-fight losing streak by submitting Mansur Abdul-Malik with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Stoltzfus emphasized the importance of respect in the sport, acknowledging Abdul-Malik as a former training partner.

In the opening fight of the main card, Argentina’s Esteban Ribovics delivered a dominant performance against Brazilian veteran Edson Barboza, finishing the fight in the second round. Following the loss, Barboza announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, leaving his gloves in the Octagon after a distinguished 16-year UFC career.

The UFC will return to the West Coast next Saturday, with a middleweight non-title headliner featuring Anthony Hernandez against Gregory Rodrigues in Sacramento, California.

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