Islam Makhachev drops Ian Machado Garry before historic win to defend title at UFC 330
Islam Makhachev edged past Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Saturday to defend his welterweight title.
He has now set a new record for the most UFC fights undefeated, surpassing Anderson Silva’s 16 consecutive wins.
Makhachev put welterweight gold on the line for the first time at the top of the Philadelphia card at Xfinity Mobile Arena, having won the belt with a dominant performance over Jack Della Maddalena last November.
The champion dropped Garry with a massive head kick in round two, but the challenger recovered well and began finding success from the third.
It was all going to be decided in the championship rounds, with Garry attempting to evade Makhachev’s takedowns and the champion slowing down as time ticked on.
Despite struggling to keep Garry pinned on the canvas, Makhachev controlled the Irishman for large portions of the fight, which no doubt gave him the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
Two judges scored the contest 49-46 while a third ruled it 48-47 to hand the champion a unanimous decision win.
Makhachev reacts to historic win at UFC 330
“Ian is a great fighter,” Makhachev, who is now 29-1 in his professional MMA career and hasn’t lost since October 2015, told Joe Rogan after his win.
“A good man. I just respect him. He gave me a hard time, but I still prove every fight.
“He has improved a lot and is working with one of the best coaches in Demian Maia.”
Makhachev, who has also won and defended the UFC lightweight title, continued: “I feel these [welterweights] have more power.
“It’s very hard to submit them. But still my game is working.”
UFC 330
Results
Main card
- Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision to retain UFC welterweight title
- Mackenzie Dern def. Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision to retain UFC women’s strawweight title
- Jalin Turner def. Kaue Fernandes via first-round KO (punches)
- Dustin Stoltzfus def. Mansur Abdul-Malik via second-round submission (Rear Naked Choke)
- Esteban Ribovics def. Edson Barboza via second-round TKO (punches)
Prelims
- Chidi Njokuani def. Joel Alvarez via unanimous decision
- Charles Johnson def. Eduardo Chapolin via third-round submission (Scottish Twister)
- Donte Johnson def. Eric McConico via first-round KO (punch)
- Tresean Gore def. Vicente Luque via unanimous decision
- Lucas Fernando def. Rafael Tobias via third-round KO (knee)
- Neil Magny def. Ramiz Brahimaj via second-round TKO (punches)
- Jeremiah Wells def. Myktybek Orolbai via third-round submission (Guillotine Choke)
Garry, who failed at his attempt to become the first Irish UFC champion since Conor McGregor and the second overall, added: “Nothing surprised me. I have nothing but respect for Islam.
“I believed in my heart and my soul that I was better than him tonight.
“He won. I have no excuses. I’m proud of everything I’ve done. I have a decade of domination in this sport.
“I can go back, regroup and get better. I am as bulletproof as I’ve ever been mentally.
“To all my fans, I’m sorry I couldn’t get this done. But as a man I stand here proud of what I’ve done.”
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