Makhachev targets historic milestone in UFC 330 title defence
Islam Makhachev faces Ian Machado Garry on Saturday, with a victory potentially securing his place in mixed martial arts history.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is set to defend his title against the number one ranked contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia this Saturday. The bout carries significant historical weight, as a victory for Makhachev would see him surpass Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive wins inside the Octagon, currently standing at 17.
Makhachev, who holds a 28-1 record, enters the fight as the pound-for-pound king. He previously held the UFC’s number one spot for 602 consecutive days from October 2023 until the summer of 2025. His reign has been marked by dominance across two weight classes, making him the only 155-pound champion in UFC history to defend the title four times.
The challenge from Garry presents a distinct physical test. The Irishman holds a five-inch height and four-inch reach advantage over Makhachev. Despite these metrics, Makhachev remains focused on his grappling-based approach, having recently dismantled Jack Della Maddalena in his welterweight debut last November.
While the potential to break Silva’s record places Makhachev in the greatest of all time conversation, the champion has publicly dismissed the notion of focusing on legacy metrics. He stated that his priority remains competing against high-level opponents in the welterweight division, though he did not entirely rule out a future move to middleweight.
Rumours of imminent retirement have also been denied by Makhachev, who asserts he is still operating at the peak of his prime. A successful defence against Garry would not only extend his winning streak but also reinforce his status as the singular face of the sport following the vacating of his lightweight title.
