Islam Makhachev records his 17th consecutive victory in the UFC by defeating Ian Machado Garry for the welterweight title. Published August 16, 2026 August 16, 2026 Islam Makhachev (29-1 MMA) has successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship, defeating Irishman Ian Machado Garry (17-2 MMA) by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) and also set an impressive record in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With Saturday night’s victory, Russia’s Makhachev etched his name into the UFC record books, extending his winning streak to 17 consecutive fights and surpassing UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva’s historic 16-fight mark set between 2006 and 2013. 4 itemsend of list Makhachev dictated the pace throughout the 25-minute championship fight, neutralizing the challenger with superior control smothering and chain fighting while mixing in dynamic strikes, including a damaging head kick in the second round. Machado Garry, bidding to become the second undisputed UFC champion to come from Ireland, remained diligent in defensive fights on the mat to survive the danger, but was unable to mount enough offense to influence the judges’ scorecards. nothing but respect for Islam… He won. I have no complaints or excuses,” Machado Garry said inside the octagon after the decision. “It’s always difficult,” Makhachev said of the victory against the challenger in the championship rounds. Makhachev punches Ian Machado Garry, right, in their welterweight title fight during UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on August 15, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. [Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images via AFP]In the co-main event, UFC women’s strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern (17-5 MMA) successfully defended her title for the first time, using dominant holds and relentless submission threats to defeat Canada’s Gillian Robertson (17-9 MMA) by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47). Dern, a Phoenix native who fights out of Southern California, controlled the pace on the mat for 25 minutes, constantly threatening transitions and securing attacks against her fellow Brazilian jiujitsu standout. Dern’s most dangerous moment came in the first frame, when she nearly landed a rear-naked choke just before the horn sounded. While Dern had expressed confidence throughout fight week that she would finish Robertson inside the distance, the champion was pleased with her all-around performance over five rounds. “She’s good… Thank you, [everyone]). I appreciate it,” Dern said inside the Octagon after her victory. The UFC heads to the West Coast next Saturday, returning to Sacramento, California, with a five-round non-title middleweight headliner of UFC Fight Night pitting Anthony Hernandez, who fights in nearby El Dorado Hills, California, against Gregory Rodrigues of Brazil. The main event will conclude a 13-fight slate. Makhachev celebrates after defeating Machado Garry [Sarah Stier/Getty Images via AFP]
