Russian mixed martial arts star Islam Makhachev achieved another historic feat by becoming the owner of the longest winning streak in UFC history.
Makhachev defeated Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330, held in Philadelphia, United States.
After five full rounds, the judges declared Makhachev the winner by unanimous decision, allowing him to retain the UFC welterweight championship.
But the significance of the victory went beyond retaining the title. Makhachev extended his UFC winning streak to 17 victories, breaking one of the organization’s most prominent records.
Makhachev surpasses Anderson Silva’s historic record
Before the UFC 330 bout, Makhachev shared the record with Brazilian mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva.
Silva recorded 16 consecutive UFC victories between 2006 and 2013, and his record remained one of the organization’s most difficult marks to surpass for many years.
Makhachev had reached his 16th victory before facing Garry, leaving him level with Silva.
His latest win, however, took his total to 17 consecutive victories, making him the sole record holder.
Islam Makhachev thus officially became the owner of the longest winning streak in UFC history.
Five rounds decided by the judges
The bout with Ian Machado Garry was not easy for the Russian champion.
The 28-year-old Irish fighter showed strong resistance at various stages of the bout, making use of his stand-up skills and physical advantages.
Makhachev, in contrast, relied heavily on his wrestling and ground control, imposing his style during important periods of the fight.
The bout lasted five full rounds before the judges awarded Makhachev a unanimous victory.
The judges’ scorecards read 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 in favor of the Russian champion.
First successful defense of the welterweight title
The victory carries added significance in Makhachev’s career because it was his first defense of the UFC welterweight title.
Makhachev had previously achieved major success in the lightweight division before moving up to welterweight.
The Russian defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become a champion in a second weight class, joining the limited group of fighters who have won UFC titles in two different divisions.
Against Ian Machado Garry, Makhachev successfully defended the welterweight title for the first time.
Garry forced Makhachev into a difficult fight
Despite the defeat, Ian Machado Garry delivered a strong performance against the Russian champion.
The Irish fighter stopped some of Makhachev’s takedown attempts and used his kicks effectively during parts of the bout.
Makhachev’s wrestling experience and ability to control his opponent nevertheless gave him the edge in the judges’ final assessment.
At the end of the five rounds, the Russian secured a unanimous victory to continue his historic run.
Makhachev’s record rises to 29 wins and one defeat
After his victory at UFC 330, Islam Makhachev’s professional mixed martial arts record stood at 29 wins and just one defeat.
Makhachev’s only defeat in the UFC came in 2015, when he lost to Brazil’s Adriano Martins.
He has not lost a bout in the organization since that fight.
During this run, he developed from one of Dagestan’s leading prospects into a lightweight champion, then a champion in a second division and the owner of the longest winning streak in UFC history.
Makhachev surpasses Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC winning streak
Makhachev’s new record for consecutive UFC victories also exceeds the mark achieved by his compatriot and friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Khabib ended his professional career undefeated with a historic record of 29 wins without a loss.
Nurmagomedov fought 13 times in the UFC and won every bout.
Makhachev has now reached 17 consecutive victories in the organization.
The two records should nevertheless be distinguished: Khabib still holds a completely undefeated professional record, while Makhachev now owns the UFC record for the longest winning streak.
Makhachev enters the discussion of the greatest fighters in history
The new achievement has also revived discussion about Islam Makhachev’s standing among the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Makhachev tops the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings and has also won titles in two different divisions.
With 17 consecutive victories, his name is being mentioned more prominently alongside legends such as Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The new record alone does not settle the debate over the greatest fighter in UFC history, but it significantly strengthens Makhachev’s standing among the organization’s most prominent names.
Garry speaks after the defeat
Ian Machado Garry spoke after losing to Makhachev and affirmed his determination to return stronger.
The Irish fighter acknowledged that Makhachev was better on the night, saying he would learn from the experience and continue working toward a return to title contention.
After the defeat by Makhachev, Garry’s UFC record stood at 10 wins and two defeats.
Who will be Makhachev’s next challenger?
After the historic victory at UFC 330, attention turned to the identity of Islam Makhachev’s next welterweight challenger.
Several potential names have emerged in the title race, including Carlos Prates, Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
After UFC 330, Makhachev said that Carlos Prates was, in his view, one of the fighters deserving a title opportunity.
UFC has not yet officially announced the Russian champion’s next challenger.
17 victories put Makhachev alone at the top of UFC history
UFC 330 will remain one of the most significant moments in Islam Makhachev’s career.
Alongside retaining the welterweight title after five rounds against Ian Machado Garry, the Russian champion secured his 17th consecutive victory in the organization.
With the achievement, Makhachev surpassed Anderson Silva’s historic 16-fight winning streak, which stood for years as one of the UFC’s best-known records.
Islam Makhachev now owns the longest winning streak in UFC history outright with 17 victories.
