Islam Makhachev extended his UFC winning streak to 17 consecutive victories by defeating Ian Machado Garry in a title defence at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, surpassing Anderson Silva's longstanding record.
Islam Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry on Saturday night, capturing a unanimous decision victory that extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive UFC bouts. The Russian fighter's triumph marks a significant milestone in combat sports history, as he moves past Anderson Silva's previous record of 16 consecutive wins that had stood since 2013. The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in Makhachev's favour, bringing his overall MMA record to 29-1.
Makhachev dominated the contest by controlling the pace and location of the fight through superior wrestling and grappling exchanges. He employed chain wrestling techniques combined with suffocating top control to consistently force Garry into disadvantageous positions, while also integrating sharp striking into his offensive arsenal, including a notable head kick in the second round. Despite Garry's effective defensive scrambles that helped him navigate dangerous submissions and grappling positions, he struggled to mount sufficient offensive output throughout the five-round championship bout. Garry, who had sought to become only the second undisputed UFC champion from Ireland, acknowledged Makhachev's superiority after the decision, offering no excuses or complaints.
The UFC 330 card in Philadelphia featured several other notable outcomes. Mackenzie Dern successfully defended her women's strawweight title against Gillian Robertson through unanimous decision, dominating grappling sequences and submission threats across all five rounds. The evening also witnessed Edson Barboza's retirement from professional MMA after 16 years with the promotion, following a second-round stoppage loss to Esteban Ribovics. Barboza concluded his distinguished career with 18 UFC wins, 14 finishes, and 10 Fight of the Night bonuses.
