UFC Live: Islam Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight championship in Philadelphia, beating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision and extending his run to a record 17 consecutive UFC victories. Mackenzie Dern also kept her strawweight title, while the first three fights on the UFC 330 main card all ended inside the distance.
Islam Makhachev had to work for five rounds at UFC 330, but when the final horn sounded, the welterweight championship was still his.
Makhachev defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with the judges returning scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47. The victory gave Makhachev his first successful defense of the welterweight belt and, more significantly, his 17th consecutive UFC win, setting a new mark for the longest winning streak inside the Octagon.
The scorecards tell only part of the story. Garry had periods where he made the champion uncomfortable, particularly as the fight moved through its middle stages. Makhachev, however, repeatedly found ways to steer the contest back toward the areas where he could dictate the pace.
He established that pattern in the opening round through his grappling. In the second, the champion added a sharper striking threat, landing a right hand followed by a left high kick from the clinch that briefly sent Garry to the canvas. Garry responded in the third and out-landed Makhachev during a round in which the champion appeared to be slowing.
That momentum did not carry cleanly into the championship rounds.
Makhachev went back to his wrestling in the fourth, completing multiple takedowns and staying attached to Garry for long stretches. Garry continued to find useful strikes, but he could not consistently separate and turn the fight into the kind of striking contest he needed.
The fifth round provided the clearest image of how Makhachev closed the fight. He put Garry on the canvas, took his back and held the position through the remainder of the contest. There was no late opening for the challenger and no dramatic final exchange. Makhachev finished the night controlling the position before waiting for the judges to make the result official.
The win also placed another line on Makhachev’s championship résumé. He became only the fifth two-division UFC champion to successfully defend titles in both weight classes. Garry, meanwhile, dropped to 17-2 after taking the champion the full 25 minutes.
Mackenzie Dern retains strawweight title
The co-main event followed a similar route to the scorecards, although Mackenzie Dern controlled much of the fight before Gillian Robertson produced her best stretch late.
Dern retained the UFC women’s strawweight championship by unanimous decision, winning 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47. It was her first successful title defense and her fourth consecutive victory.
Dern was particularly effective on the ground early. She controlled the opening round and maintained the advantage in the second before Robertson began finding more success in the third. Dern responded by putting Robertson back on the mat early in the fourth and controlling most of the round.
Robertson did finish strongly. She secured a takedown in the closing seconds of the fourth and then spent the fifth round working from top position. It changed the final picture of the contest, but not the outcome. Dern had already built enough of an advantage to sweep the judges’ scorecards and leave Philadelphia with the belt.
Jalin Turner needs just 39 seconds
There was considerably less need for the judges earlier on the main card.
Jalin Turner stopped Kauê Fernandes only 39 seconds into the opening round, giving UFC 330 one of its quickest finishes.
Turner pressured Fernandes from the start and closed the distance after Fernandes attempted a spinning backfist. A left hand dropped the Brazilian, and Turner followed with strikes until the fight was stopped. The victory gave Turner consecutive first-round stoppage wins.
It was the fastest finish on a main card that opened with three fights ending before the judges were required.
Dustin Stoltzfus delivers a home-state victory
Dustin Stoltzfus also finished his opponent, submitting Mansur Abdul-Malik at 4:25 of the second round.
Fighting in Pennsylvania, Stoltzfus gained control through his wrestling and grappling during the opening round. After the second round began more evenly, he hurt Abdul-Malik during an exchange near the fence and was able to move the fight back to the ground before securing the finish.
The performance gave the 34-year-old his fourth UFC victory and marked the first time he had competed in his home state during his professional career.
Esteban Ribovics stops Edson Barboza before retirement announcement
Esteban Ribovics opened the main card by defeating veteran Edson Barboza via second-round TKO at 1:32.
Ribovics crowded Barboza from the opening minutes, repeatedly getting inside the veteran’s kicking range and landing punches. He continued to press in the second until the accumulation of strikes forced the stoppage.
The fight was followed by a significant moment for Barboza. He removed his gloves and placed them in the middle of the Octagon, signalling the end of his UFC career. The Brazilian then confirmed his retirement during his post-fight interview, saying, “I give my best every single day. Every single fight I brought it. I’m so thankful, man. Thank you guys.”
UFC 330 main card results
Welterweight title: Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision, 49-46, 49-46, 48-47.
Women’s strawweight title: Mackenzie Dern def. Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision, 49-46, 49-46, 48-47.
Lightweight: Jalin Turner def. Kauê Fernandes by KO (strikes), Round 1, 0:39.
Middleweight: Dustin Stoltzfus def. Mansur Abdul-Malik by submission, Round 2, 4:25.
Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics def. Edson Barboza by TKO (strikes), Round 2, 1:32.
UFC 330 ultimately shifted from a finish-heavy opening to two 25-minute championship fights. Turner needed only 39 seconds, Stoltzfus found his finish late in the second and Ribovics stopped one of the promotion’s longest-serving veterans. Then Dern and Makhachev closed the night by protecting their championships on the scorecards.
For Makhachev, the lasting number from Philadelphia is 17. His latest title defense did more than keep the welterweight belt around his waist. It moved his winning streak into territory no UFC fighter before him had reached.
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