Makhachev breaks Silva’s record with 17th straight UFC victory

Islam Makhachev has extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive victories, surpassing the previous UFC record held by Anderson Silva, after defeating Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. The 34-year-old Russian champion secured the victory with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, maintaining his undefeated status in the octagon since October 2015.

Makhachev, who claimed the welterweight title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena in November, dictated the tempo of the 25-minute bout through suffocating top control and chain wrestling. He mixed these grappling techniques with dynamic striking, including a damaging head kick in the second round. Garry, aiming to become only the second undisputed UFC champion from Ireland, remained diligent in defensive scrambles but could not generate enough offensive output to sway the judges.

Following the decision, Garry acknowledged the outcome without complaint. “I have nothing but respect for Islam. … He won. I have no complaints, no excuses,” Garry stated inside the octagon. Makhachev described the championship rounds as a grind, noting the difficulty of maintaining performance against a resilient challenger. The victory marks the second time Makhachev has defended the 170-pound title, extending a legacy that began with his previous reign.

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern retained her women’s strawweight title against Canada’s Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision, with identical scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Dern, a Phoenix native who fights out of Southern California, utilised dominant grappling and relentless submission threats to control the pace. Her most significant moment came in the opening frame, where she nearly secured a rear-naked choke just before the horn sounded.

Dern, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout, faced another elite grappler in Robertson but pleased with her complete five-round performance despite not achieving the finish she had predicted during fight week. “She’s good. … Thank you, [everyone]). I appreciate you,” Dern said after the bout. The UFC will next hold an event in Sacramento, California, featuring Anthony Hernandez against Gregory Rodrigues in a non-title middleweight bout.