Makhachev retains UFC welterweight title in Philadelphia as Dern defends strawweight belt

Islam Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, extending his undefeated streak that dates back to October 2015. The victory marks the second time the pound-for-pound king has defended the 170-pound title, having previously defeated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the belt in November.

Makhachev’s win at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday, 15 August 2026, positions him to set a record for the longest UFC winning streak. He enters the fight with an unblemished record since his second UFC bout, while his opponent, Ian Machado Garry, arrives with one loss in 10 Octagon appearances.

Garry had demonstrated significant form in 2025, securing unanimous decision victories over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad in consecutive contests. Despite these recent successes, Makhachev’s performance in the main event maintained his status as the division’s dominant force.

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern successfully defended her strawweight title against Gillian Robertson, winning by unanimous decision. Dern showcased world-class grappling to secure the five-round victory in her first title defence, overcoming a challenger who entered the bout on a seven-fight winning streak dating back to 2022.

The event marked the promotion’s return to Philadelphia and was streamed exclusively on Paramount+. Early prelims commenced at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the main card beginning at 9 p.m. ET. The card also featured a middleweight contest between Mansur Abdul-Malik and Dustin Stoltzfus, with Abdul-Malik entering as the heavy favourite.

Dern’s victory follows a period of rebuilding, having posted a 2-4 record between 2021 and 2024 before reclaiming the belt and winning three straight fights. Her win over Robertson, who had most recently defeated Amanda Lemos in March 2026, solidifies her position in the strawweight division.