ISLAM MAKHACHEV SETS UFC RECORD WITH 17TH STRAIGHT WIN, DEFENDS WELTERWEIGHT TITLE AT UFC 330.(PHOTO).

 Islam Makhachev sets UFC record with 17th straight win, defends welterweight title at UFC 330

  Islam Makhachev overcame a bruised and battered face to make UFC history Saturday night, earning a unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry and successfully defending his welterweight championship at UFC 330.

The victory gave Makhachev his 17th consecutive UFC win, breaking his tie with UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in promotional history. Makhachev improved to 29-1 and has not lost since 2015.

Judges scored the five-round bout 49-46 twice and 48-47. Although Machado Garry gave Makhachev a competitive fight, the champion maintained control when it mattered most.

Makhachev nearly ended the contest in the second round when a left head kick landed flush and sent Machado Garry to the canvas. Makhachev followed with a flurry of punches, but the challenger survived and made it to the end of the round.

Machado Garry responded with his strongest stretch of the fight in the third round, winning the round on all three scorecards. He also landed seven significant strikes in the fifth round while Makhachev failed to connect with one.

Despite the late rally, Machado Garry could not overcome Makhachev's overall performance. The 28-year-old dropped to 17-2 but remained complimentary of the champion afterward.

Makhachev previously held the UFC lightweight championship and captured the welterweight title in November 2025 by defeating Jack Della Maddalena. His latest victory marked his first defense of the 170-pound belt.

Mackenzie Dern also successfully defended her championship, defeating Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision in the women's strawweight division.

Dern won 49-46 on two scorecards and 48-47 on the third. The 17-5 champion captured the vacant 115-pound title at UFC 321 and made her first defense Saturday night.

Dern came close to finishing Robertson in the opening round with a choke, but the challenger survived until the bell. The fight then slowed considerably, with the two spending much of the remaining rounds tied up on the canvas.

The lack of action eventually brought boos from the Philadelphia crowd during the fifth round. Dern's 7-year-old daughter, seated near the cage, continued cheering for her mother throughout the fight.

The victory could position Dern for a future matchup with former division champion Zhang Weili.

Elsewhere on the main card, Edson Barboza ended his MMA career following a lightweight loss to Esteben Ribovics.

Barboza, 40, placed his gloves in the center of the cage after the fight and fought back tears as he officially announced his retirement. Surrounded by family, he received a standing ovation from the Philadelphia crowd.

Barboza began his professional MMA career in 2009 and made his UFC debut the following year. He became known for his spectacular striking and collected multiple Fight of the Night honors during his career. He finished with four consecutive losses.

UFC 330 also marked the promotion's return to Philadelphia for its first event in the city since 2019 and only its third numbered UFC card there. UFC 101 was held in Philadelphia in August 2009, followed by UFC 133 in August 2011.

The hometown crowd was lively from the preliminary bouts onward. Philadelphia fighter Jeremiah Wells, 39, overcame a hostile reception during his walkout by earning a submission victory.

Tresean Gore also picked up a unanimous decision over Vicente Luque, though the victory came at a painful cost. Gore lost most of his lower front teeth after taking a knee to the mouth, with several teeth scattered across the canvas.

Charles Johnson provided another memorable Philadelphia moment after his submission victory, leading the crowd in an off-key rendition of “Fly, Eagles, Fly” before leaving the arena to a loud ovation.