Islam Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry on Saturday, and the victory marked a major piece of history.
As Makhachev outpointed the divisive Irish star in the main event of UFC 330, he reached a record-breaking 17th consecutive win in the promotion. In doing so, he went clear of the legendary Anderson Silva, although there were moments when victory looked far from assured.
Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, was largely able to avoid tense striking exchanges with Machado Garry in the first two rounds, using his supreme wrestling to control the challenger. In fact, Makhachev surprisingly dropped Machado Garry with a head kick in round two, as the pair separated after a spell of wrestling against the fence.
But Machado Garry, 28, bounced back well to deny Makhachev, 34, a takedown in round three and seemingly steal the frame with some varied striking late on. What ensued was a crucial round, which Makhachev appeared to win as he was able to take down Machado Garry again, despite looking exhausted throughout.
In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern retained the women’s strawweight title, outpointing Gillian Robertson. Re-live updates and see results from the UFC 330 main card and prelims, below:
UFC 330: Makhachev vs Garry
- Islam Makhachev outpoints Ian Machado Garry to retain 170lb title
- Makhachev scores record-breaking 17th consecutive UFC victory
- Comment: Why can’t UFC fans stand Ian Machado Garry?
- Mackenzie Dern retains strawweight belt by outpointing Gillian Robertson
UFC 330 in photos
09:40 , Alex Pattle
UFC 330 in photos
09:10 , Alex Pattle
UFC 330 in photos
08:40 , Alex Pattle
UFC 330 in photos
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UFC 330 in photos
07:40 , Alex Pattle
UFC 330 in photos
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UFC 330 in photos
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UFC 330 in photos
06:30 , Alex Pattle
Main-event report in full:
06:14 , Alex Pattle
Islam Makhachev shatters UFC record with win over Ian Garry in tense title clash
Makhachev beats Garry
06:00 , Alex Pattle
HISTORY MADE@MAKHACHEVMMA defeats Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision to defend his welterweight title and set the record for the longest win streak in UFC history!
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2026
[ #UFC330 | B2YB: @DrinkMonaco ] pic.twitter.com/4gRsCMCw1k
Makhachev beats Garry
05:50 , Alex Pattle
THANK YOU PHILLY! #UFC330 pic.twitter.com/WLVyzLQR4I
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2026
Makhachev beats Garry
05:41 , Alex Pattle
TITLE DEFENDED 😤@MAKHACHEVMMA takes the Unanimous Decision over Ian Machado Garry at #UFC330! pic.twitter.com/8CR80dYuAM
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2026
Makhachev beats Garry
05:33 , Alex Pattle
Respect after five rounds 🤝 #UFC330 pic.twitter.com/9civbOGTNB
— UFC (@ufc) August 16, 2026
An all-time record
05:27 , Alex Pattle
For Makhachev, that’s 17 wins in a row – the most ever in the UFC... Wow.
Garry reacts to defeat
05:23 , Alex Pattle
“Nothing surprised me. I have nothing but respect for Islam.
“I believed in my heart and in my soul I was better than him tonight; he won, I have no complaints, no excuses.
“This was the best camp of my life. I love my wife, my little boy, I fight to make them happy.
“I’m 28 years of age, I have a decade of domination in this sport.
“This man won today, that’s okay. I’m as f***ing bulletproof as I could be up here [mentally].
“To all the fans that doubt me, I’ll be back. I don’t need any of you, so go f*** yourselves!”
Makhachev speaks
05:21 , Alex Pattle
“Ian is a great fighter, he gave me a hard time. But I prove every fight.
“Oh, let’s see [if it’s the most-difficult fight I’ve had]. Maybe the first one in Australia [against Alex Volkanovski], it was also very hard.
“I feel the guys have more power [at 170lb], very hard to submit them, but still my game is working. I take down all my opponents and give them a hard time there.”
AND STILL!!
05:19 , Alex Pattle
Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
The right result, and fair scores.
To the scorecards we go
05:16 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Makhachev with his own punches in the final seconds!
The buzzer sounds, and we’ll go to the scorecards.
Makhachev closes in on win
05:16 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Makhachev trips Garry and locks up a body triangle! He’ll pursue a rear naked choke here, you’d expect...
Ninety seconds to go. Makhachev is exactly where he wants to be.
Garry with some punches over his shoulder, but Makhachev won’t mind.
Makhachev is still trying to find an opening for a choke.
Decisive round?
05:13 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Nice right cross from Garry, then another! Makhachev just blocks a high kick. He looks so tired again...
Oblique kick by Garry. Now a body kick while hopping into range.
Makhachev shoots for a single-leg from a long way away, but he still manages to make it work.
Garry is quickly up to his feet, but he’s stuck against the fence again.
Final round incoming...
05:12 , Alex Pattle
Makhachev’s face is sporting a fair bit of damage. Garry was largely defending the wrestling in round four, but he did get some shots off. Could they have stolen the round? I don’t think so, but it’s not impossible...
Makhachev vs Garry
05:10 , Alex Pattle
Round four
Makhachev is holding Garry against the fence, where the Irishman is throwing strikes to try to distract the champ.
Eventually Makhachev lifts Garry with a high crotch, then dumps him to the mat.
Garry seems to blow a kiss to his wife at ringside.
Garry gets up but is tripped as we enter the final minute of this round.
Good body shots by Garry, who then thinks about a guillotine.
That’s probably a Makhachev round, and he likely keeps his belt if he avoids getting stopped in round five.
Makhachev vs Garry
05:07 , Alex Pattle
Round four
Makhachev looks tired... Can Garry turn the tide? Makhachev’s corner urges him to take this round.
The champion looks a little swollen around the nose. Both men land a punch simultaneously. Makhachev evades a cross.
Another single-leg effort by Makhachev, but again Garry gets round to the side...
But this time Makhachev finishes the takedown anyway! He gets Garry to the fence.
Makhachev vs Garry
05:05 , Alex Pattle
Garry steals third round?
05:04 , Alex Pattle
Round three
Makhachev with a single-leg takedown against the fence, but this time Garry succeeds where he failed in round one! He scoots around the side and stands up! Now he separates.
He’ll take confidence from that. He kicks high but only lands under the armpit. Switch jab misses.
Now a hard high kick!! That has Makhachev wobbling a little, but more so from the strength of the kick than anything else.
Oblique kick, nasty. Now Garry stuffs a takedown. He winks at Makhachev.
Body kick by Garry. This is where he’s at his best. He kicks low. He just misses with a spinning back fist.
Did he steal that round? I’d say so!
Garry seems lucid
05:01 , Alex Pattle
Round three
Garry looks lucid. It was a bit of a flash knockdown in round two.
He kicks high early, but it’s blocked. Oblique kick lands for him, though.
Makhachev remains light on his feet. Garry is planted more, with a wiiiiiide base. Again he has a high kick blocked.
Makhachev in control
04:58 , Alex Pattle
Round two
The crowd with an anti-Garry chant as the Irishman struggles to get out from under Makhachev...
Garry ends up in turtle position, with Makhachev weighing down on him and looking for openings. Makhachev rotates from position to position with such speed.
He ends the round on top!
MAKHACHEV DROPS GARRY
04:56 , Alex Pattle
Round two
Garry apologises after kicking below the belt. Makhachev with a good knee to the body after grabbing ahold of his challenger.
Garry then initiates a clinch and rips punches to the body.
OH!! But Makhachev separates and drops Garry with a head kick!!
Makhachev gets after Garry, grabs him, and tosses him to the mat with ease. He’s in half-guard, looking for an arm-triangle... Now side control...
Makhachev vs Garry
04:54 , Alex Pattle
Round two
“Let’s go have some fun with him,” Garry’s cornerman says. “Don’t let him build confidence.”
Makhachev just blocks a high kick, then kicks low after an oblique kick by Garry. Another blocked head kick by Garry, another Makhachev low kick.
Lots of feints from Makhachev, up and down, threatening the takedown. Makhachev just misses with an uppercut as Garry closes range.
Garry kicks well to the body then jabs upstairs. Makhachev would be best off shooting for a takedown.
Makhachev surely takes opener
04:52 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Makhachev with lots of little movements to keep Garry guessing. Garry is hunched over, standing on his feet but carrying the Russian’s weight.
Now Garry is standing upright. He throws a few punches over his shoulder. Makhachev ties up one leg but lets it go.
Makhachev with knees to the thigh. Garry is hand fighting. Now Makhachev ties up the other leg.
Garry with elbows to Makhachev’s hands, which remain locked around the Irishman’s waist from behind.
Garry manages to avoid being tripped, but that’s a clear 10-9 round to Makhachev.
Makhachev vs Garry
04:49 , Alex Pattle
Round one
The crowd chants Makhachev’s name. He stands southpaw, kicks low, then just evades a one-two. Garry is orthodox.
Makhachev quickly shoots for a single-leg and drags down Garry, who is trying to scoot around to the side. No joy.
Garry manages to get to the fence, where Makhachev is kneeing him to the body. Garry is stuck there for now.
MAIN EVENT UNDER WAY!
04:47 , Alex Pattle
Here we go!!!
Tale of the tape
04:44 , Alex Pattle
Makhachev is 34 years old, while Garry is 28.
Makhachev stands at 5ft 10in, and Garry is 6ft 3in.
Makhachev’s reach is 70.5in; Garry’s is 74.5in.
A pro-Makhachev crowd
04:41 , Alex Pattle
Here comes a very intense-looking Makhachev, who is the clear crowd favourite in Philadelphia.
Can he break the record he shares with the legendary Anderson Silva? Can he win a 17th straight fight in the UFC?
Garry’s divisive walkout
04:36 , Alex Pattle
Knowing that it irks fans, Garry emerges to Eric Clapton’s “Layla”, in honour of his wife.
He drapes the Irish tricolour around his young son, who’s ringside with Layla.
He looks relaxed.
Why can’t fans seem to stand Ian Machado Garry?
04:33 , Alex Pattle
Last week, Ian Machado Garry announced himself as an official ambassador of Peta, the famous animal rights charity. It says a lot about the MMA fandom’s loathing of the Irish fighter that the partnership elicited widespread groans and mockery.
Not that Peta has been free of controversies, of course, but there were many who saw the team-up as a high-profile count of virtue signalling from Machado Garry. And really, this is the greatest supposed offence of which the 28-year-old has been accused: virtue signalling.
When Machado Garry spoke on the High Performance Podcast this month and suggested that the world would be better off run by women, his detractors poured their fury through fingertips onto laptop keyboards, like hail on Portmarnock stone.
Full article:
Ian Machado Garry is not a typical UFC fighter – and that’s why fans can’t stand him
Main event up next...
04:29 , Alex Pattle
Next up, the final fight of the night: Makhachev vs Machado Garry for welterweight gold...
Mackenzie Dern retains title!
04:24 , Alex Pattle
And STILL!
Mackenzie Dern def. Gillian Robertson via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
No surprises there, based on the fight. Dern was more assertive with her grappling, and that was the key difference.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
04:20 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Fifth and final round!
It’s Robertson’s best by far. She’s able to get Dern down and land some punches and elbows from full guard.
Dern is looking at some armbar options, but to no avail.
The final buzer sounds, and we’ll go to the scorecards, where Dern will definitely get this one.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
04:14 , Alex Pattle
Round four
Dern shoots early in this round, switching from a double-leg to a single-leg. Again she takes the back swiftly.
Dern locks up a body triangle and works on a rear naked choke.
Again Robertson twists inside. She actually lands a big elbow from on top, but Dern is attacking an armbar now...
Robertson defends and lands a slew of hammer fists later in the round.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
04:07 , Alex Pattle
Round three
Robertson does well to force a high pace in the striking, early in round three.
Nice variety from Robertson, who mixes in a good uppercut. She lands a good combination in response to a hard low kick by Dern.
But there’s another double-leg from Dern, again rolling under a punch.
A familiar sight in the first two rounds
04:04 , Alex Pattle
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
04:02 , Alex Pattle
Round two
Robertson with a figure-four to protect her leg. She lands a few hammer fists as well, trying to distract and deter Dern.
But Dern throws her own hammer fists and gets back to the kneebar...
She’s trying to pry apart Robertson’s figure four.
Dern ends up in mount to end the round, after losing the right angle to isolate Robertson’s leg.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
04:00 , Alex Pattle
Round two
Dern rolls under a left hook and then scores another double-leg takedown. She’s quickly into half-guard again.
She toys with the idea of an arm-triangle choke, but she ends up taking the back again, with Robertson facedown.
Dern keeps the back but with Robertson facing upwards now. She tries a rear naked choke, but Robertson turns inwards to escape.
Now Dern attacks a kneebar...
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
03:56 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Dern transitions from full guard to half, and she looks to be working on an arm-triangle choke.
She switches to a Kimura attempt, before Robertson bridges to create space.
Now Dern has the back, as Robertson is turtled up. Dern gets both hooks in and goes for a rear naked choke...
Can Robertson survive to the buzer... YES! Just! She gives a thumbs up.
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson
03:53 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Robertson threatens a takedown, but otherwise the first two minutes are basically just striking. It often happens when two grapplers meet.
Dern’s punches look sharper so far, and she wobbles Robertson’s leg with a low kick.
Dern just misses with a big elbow. Both women kick to the body, one after the other.
Oh! Swift double-leg by Dern!
Co-main event is upon us!
03:48 , Alex Pattle
Bruce Buffer has the fighter introductions! Dern vs Robertson is upon us. Strawweight gold up for grabs.
UFC 333 to end with championship one-two
03:39 , Alex Pattle
This just in: 24 October brings a title double-header at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi!
Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Movsar Evloev (featherweight title)
Petr Yan (C) vs Merab Dvalishvili 3 (bantamweight title)
First title fight of the night
03:36 , Alex Pattle
Mackenzie Dern and Gillian Robertson square off next, as the co-main event pits grappling specialists against each other – with the women’s strawweight crown on the line.
Turner demolishes Fernandes!
03:27 , Alex Pattle
OH!! Turner puts Fernandes OUT inside 40 seconds!
Wowwwww. He dropped him with a left hook by the fence, and Fernandes seemed to come in and out of consciousness during the ground and pound.
Jalin Turner vs Kaue Fernandes
03:26 , Alex Pattle
Here we go! Last fight before the two title bouts...
Jalin 'The Tarantula’ Turner
03:23 , Alex Pattle
Turner emerged from a brief retirement with a first-round KO of Edson Barboza last year. Can he go 2-0 in this new run?
Back down to lightweight next
03:13 , Alex Pattle
Jalin Turner’s comeback tour continues next, as he faces Kaue Fernandes.
Dustin Stoltzfus submits Mansur Abdul-Malik!
03:06 , Alex Pattle
Round two
Ohhh! Brutal knees to the body by Abdul-Malik, who holds the back of Stoltzfus’s head as he drives them in.
The pair grapple now, with Abdul-Malik tripping Stoltzfus by the fence. He can’t pass the guard, so he decides to just pour on punches!
Stoltzfus manages to pick his moment and shoot at Abdul-Malik’s leg, using a single-leg to stand up. Stoltzfus with his own knee to the body as he drives Abdul-Malik to the fence with a body lock.
He’s able to get down Abdul-Malik again, and he’s working on a guillotine, but it’s not quite there... But he drives his knee into Abdul-Malik’s throat – ouch.
Now some hard shots (including a couple of illegal ones to the back of the head) and a rear naked choke that forces the tap!! Stoltzfus wins!!
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dustin Stoltzfus
03:00 , Alex Pattle
Round one
These men previously trained together, just so you know!
Low kicks from both middleweights in the early going. Abdul-Malik then catches Stoltzfus on the end of a cross, but he overshoots with a right hook thereafter.
Good left hook to the body by Abdul-Malik in the next exchange, but Stoltzfus fires back with an uppercut on the inside.
Both men missed a few shots each, though, in a frantic coming-together there.
Stoltzfus shoots for a takedown from range, which ends with him weighing down on Abdul-Malik and try to trip him. Stoltzfus is struggling to get Abdul-Malik down...
OH! Until he SLAMS him! Stoltzfus transitions into mount, then takes the back, seeking a rear naked choke. Abdul-Malik survives to the buzzer, but only after eating a big elbow...
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dustin Stoltzfus
02:53 , Alex Pattle
Six of tonight’s eight bouts have ended in a stoppage. Are we about to see another? Great stuff for the Philly crowd.
Ribovics pays tribute to beaten, retiring Barboza
02:43 , Alex Pattle
Barboza retires, a lightweight icon
02:38 , Alex Pattle
Barboza gets a standing ovation as he lays his gloves on the canvas.
“I gave my best every single day, guys, every single fight. I promise, I did my best. I’m so thankful, guys, I hope you guys enjoyed. Thank you so much.”
He’s in tears, and I’d wager he’s not the only person in the building.
Barboza’s gloves are off...
02:37 , Alex Pattle
It looks like we’ll get that retirement from Barboza...
First, Joe Rogan interviews Ribovics, who cites Barboza as one of his inspirations growing up.
Ribovics finishes Barboza in round two!
02:33 , Alex Pattle
Ribovics has Barboza out on his feet!
Barboza is swaying all over the place, courtesy of a series of heavy, single shots from his younger foe...
And Dean steps in with Barboza in trouble against the fence!
It’s all over in round two.
Barboza sports horrid cut on his shin
02:30 , Alex Pattle
Barboza isn’t just bleeding from the head; his right shin has a nasty gash. It’s so wide, and blood is pouring out.
He was limping late in the round, so that makes sense.
His corner send him back out for round two anyway.
Barboza bloodied early
02:27 , Alex Pattle
Barely two minutes into the fight, Barboza is leaking blood from a cut over his right eye. It seemed to be caused by a left hook from Ribovics, who is 10 years his junior at 30.
Lots of boos for Herb Dean tonight
02:25 , Alex Pattle
This week on The Ultimate Fighter, referee Herb Dean had his latest shocker in a long line of them. As such, he’s been booed tonight whenever he’s refereed a bout.
Barboza in tears before potential retirement fight
02:21 , Alex Pattle
Barboza spots his family in the front row during his ring walk, and he struggles to hold back tears after embracing them.
This could be the last time we see Barboza, 40, in the Octagon.
Lightweight action up next
02:16 , Alex Pattle
Veteran Edson Barboza and Esteban Ribovics will kick off the main card in just a moment!
Two title fights tonight
02:13 , Alex Pattle
Makhachev vs Garry and Dern vs Robertson, it’s a championship double-header tonight.
Still, there’s not much hype for Dern’s first title defence, in part because most fans still see Zhang Weili as the true champion at strawweight.
Zhang gave up the belt as Dern was elevated from interim champion to regular-title holder.
A reminder of the main card, as it begins
02:03 , Alex Pattle
Main card (‘C’ denotes champion)
Islam Makhachev (C) vs Ian Machado Garry (welterweight title)
Mackenzie Dern (C) vs Gillian Robertson (women’s strawweight title)
Jalin Turner vs Kaue Fernandes (lightweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dustin Stoltzfus (middleweight)
Edson Barboza vs Esteban Ribovics (lightweight)
Njokuani upsets Alvarez
02:00 , Alex Pattle
Chidi Njokuani def. Joel Alvarez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Just how rare was Charles Johnson’s submission?
01:41 , Alex Pattle
The official UFC account on X is saying Johnson’s Scottish Twister was just the second in UFC history, and the fifth twister overall!
Johnson with unique submission of Chapolin in round three
01:29 , Alex Pattle
Wowwww! Johnson submits Chapolin late on, with what seems to be a Scottish Twister... We don’t see many of those!!
He looked to be too high on Chapolin’s back, as they grappled on the canvas, but he managed to adjust and squash down Chapolin’s head with his arm – that, combined with the torso twisting, forced the tap.
Garry ‘already thinking’ about first UFC title defence
01:15 , Alex Pattle
Speaking about his confidence, Machado Garry told the High Performance podcast: “All of those things go through my mind, and it’s the same with this fight now, when I’m going in to fight the world champion; I’m already thinking about: ‘Who do I want to defend against?’
“I feel like you have to think about all of those things, so that when I get on the mic and someone puts a microphone in my face straight after – for the post-fight interview – I’m ready.
“I’ve already dreamt, thought, understand what I want to do next. It’s just... it’s in me. It’s that competitive nature, that competitive spirit that I just thrive off.”
Hearn: Garry one win from being ‘biggest name in UFC’
01:08 , Alex Pattle
Last week, we spoke to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who signed Machado Garry to his Matchroom talent agency earlier this summer.
“He is one of the most mentally-assured and confident people I’ve ever met,” Hearn said of the Irishman.
“I’m not a UFC guy or an MMA guy – I watch it, but I can’t tell you who’s gonna win a fight – but I’m like: ‘He’s f***ing winning [against Makhachev].’
“I know that just being confident’s not always enough, but I know that he’s a great fighter, and I just believe in him.
“And I think that he’s got the kind of personality that, if he wins this fight, he becomes a superstar – and he becomes arguably the biggest name in the UFC.”
Full interview:
Eddie Hearn: Ian Machado Garry one win from being ‘biggest name in UFC’
Photos from the prelims
01:01 , Alex Pattle
Here’s the knee that knocked out Gore’s teeth!
But Gore scoring enough against Luque to seal the win.
Massive KO leaves McConico staring up at the lights
Sunday 16 August 2026 00:54 , Alex Pattle
Oh, wow!! A HUGE knockout from Donte Johnson, who takes out Eric McConico to stay unbeaten.
It’s a clean southpaw cross in the first round, which leaves McConico flat on his back, staring up at the lights, mouth agape... A scary visual.
Johnson even manages a follow-up shot, which certainly isn’t needed, but it’s on the ref to get there...
Donte Johnson def. Eric McConico via first-round KO (1:38)
Gore loses teeth against Luque but wins on points!
Sunday 16 August 2026 00:39 , Alex Pattle
Tresean Gore def. Vicente Luque via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The first regular prelim of the night just wrapped up! Luque had his moments, including a good D’Arce choke attempt and a flying knee, but they weren’t enough.
That said, Gore lost a couple of teeth due to that flying knee! He speaks with a lisp now as he’s interviewed by Joe Rogan, but he says: “I don’t give a f***.”
UFC 330 LIVE: Welcome!
Saturday 15 August 2026 23:59 , Alex Pattle
Ian Machado Garry vies for UFC gold for the first time tonight, as he challenges pound-for-pound No 1 Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title.
In the main event of UFC 330, Makhachev will seek a record-breaking 17th consecutive UFC win, as the Russian defends the 170lb title for the first time.
The wrestling specialist, 34, dominated Jack Della Maddalena to win the belt in November, after giving up the lightweight title following a record-breaking fourth successful defence.
He faces an intriguing test against Machado Garry, though. The Irishman, 28, has a well-rounded skillset and is difficult to look good against – yet he has struggled to win the adulation of fans, proving highly divisive since his UFC debut in 2021.
In the co-main event tonight, Mackenzie Dern defends the women’s strawweight title for the first time, taking on Gillian Robertson.
