Islam Makhachev Defends UFC Title, Sets Record with 17th Consecutive Victory at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship on Saturday night, defeating Ian Machado Garry in a closely contested bout at UFC 330 held in Philadelphia. Makhachev’s unanimous decision victory, with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, not only secured his title but also marked a significant milestone in his career.

Historic Achievement for Makhachev

With this win, Makhachev (29-1 MMA) extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive fights, surpassing the previous record of 16 held by UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva from 2006 to 2013. This achievement solidifies Makhachev’s position in the UFC record books and highlights his dominance in the welterweight division.

Throughout the 25-minute championship fight, Makhachev showcased his grappling prowess and striking ability. He maintained control over Garry (17-2 MMA) with effective top control and chain wrestling, punctuated by a notable head kick in the second round that left an impression on the judges.

Garry, who aimed to become only the second undisputed UFC champion from Ireland, demonstrated resilience in defensive scrambles but struggled to mount significant offense. Following the fight, Garry expressed his respect for Makhachev, stating he had “no complaints, no excuses.”

Co-Main Event Highlights

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern (17-5 MMA) defended her UFC women’s strawweight title for the first time against Gillian Robertson (17-9 MMA). Dern’s victory came via unanimous decision, with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Throughout the fight, Dern utilized her grappling skills to control the pace and consistently threaten with submissions.

The most critical moment for Dern occurred in the opening round when she nearly secured a rear-naked choke just before the end of the round. Despite her pre-fight confidence in finishing Robertson, Dern expressed satisfaction with her overall performance, thanking her supporters after the fight.

Quick Finish by Jalin Turner

California lightweight Jalin Turner (16-9 MMA) made headlines with a swift victory over Brazil’s Kaue Fernandes (11-3 MMA), finishing the fight in just 39 seconds with a knockout. Turner landed a powerful left hand that dropped Fernandes, followed by a rapid series of punches that prompted the referee to stop the contest.

Turner, who has won three of his last five fights, indicated his desire to face a top-15 ranked opponent in his next bout. The loss marked the end of Fernandes’ three-fight unbeaten streak.

Dustin Stoltzfus Returns to Form

Dustin Stoltzfus (17-8 MMA) ended a two-fight losing streak by submitting Mansur Abdul-Malik (9-2-1 MMA) with a rear-naked choke in the second round. After struggling in previous fights, Stoltzfus found his rhythm, taking Abdul-Malik’s back and securing the choke at 4:25 of the round.

Stoltzfus acknowledged the support from the crowd and emphasized the humanity of fighters, expressing respect for Abdul-Malik, who has faced consecutive losses following his first career defeat earlier this year.

Esteban Ribovics Shines in Main Card Opener

The main card began with a standout performance from Argentina’s Esteban Ribovics (16-3 MMA), who defeated Brazilian veteran Edson Barboza (24-15 MMA) in the second round. Ribovics showcased his striking skills, utilizing effective boxing combinations and leg kicks, leading to a stoppage by referee Herb Dean at 1:32 of the round.

Following the fight, Barboza announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, leaving his gloves in the Octagon. The 40-year-old fighter concluded his 16-year UFC career with an 18-15 record, including 14 wins by knockout or submission and 10 Fight of the Night bonuses.

Upcoming UFC Events

The UFC will return to the West Coast next Saturday, featuring a five-round middleweight non-title fight between Anthony Hernandez and Gregory Rodrigues. This event will take place in Sacramento, California, and is expected to conclude a 13-fight slate.

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Published on 2026-08-16 09:17:00 • By the Editorial Desk