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

Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, defeating challenger Ian Machado Garry via rear-naked choke in the fifth round. The victory, secured at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday, 15 August 2025, extended Makhachev’s undefeated streak, which has remained intact since October 2015.

Makhachev’s win marks his second defence of the 170-pound belt, having previously defeated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the championship in November. While the result reinforced his status as the division’s dominant force, the path to victory required a departure from his usual early dominance. Makhachev secured his seventh takedown from 15 attempts in the final round, dragging Garry down to move to his back and secure the submission with minutes remaining.

Garry, who entered the contest with a winning streak that included unanimous decision victories over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad in 2025, demonstrated improved takedown defence and body work throughout the bout. Although Makhachev led the majority of the fight and dropped Garry with a head kick in the second round, Garry’s performance suggested a potential blueprint for future challengers to disrupt the champion’s rhythm.

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern successfully defended her women’s strawweight title against Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision. The victory serves as a significant milestone for Dern, who is currently rebuilding her record after posting a 2-4 record between 2021 and 2023.

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