Islam Makhachev achieved a major milestone by defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, extending his winning streak to 17 consecutive victories. The bout occurred on August 15, 2026, at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Makhachev’s win moved him past Anderson Silva, who previously held the record for the longest winning streak in UFC history.
The 34-year-old fighter has not lost a fight since UFC 192 in 2015, according to Yahoo Sports. Makhachev dominated the match and nearly ended it early in the second round with a powerful headkick that sent Garry to the ground. He told reporters after the fight that he felt satisfied with his performance and that it was a tough match, according to a report from mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
Garry admitted he had no complaints about the result, noting that he was proud of his decade-long career in the sport. Makhachev is preparing for his next fight, saying he wants to compete before Ramadan and possibly in January or by the end of the year. He emphasized that at 34, he wants to fight as soon as possible since he does not cut much weight and has no major injuries.
The next opponent for Makhachev is still uncertain, with Carlos Prates or Michael Morales being potential candidates. This victory marks Makhachev’s 100th win in his career, including wins alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Umar Nurmagomedov. He also spoke about the strength of his team, saying they are still the best in the world.
Makhachev’s performance at welterweight has been impressive, even though he is not as dominant in finishes as he was at lightweight, ESPN reported. He has now gone two fights without a finish, which is different from his previous pattern of finishing opponents in most of his last nine fights at lightweight. Despite the change in dominance style, Makhachev’s wrestling remains a strong tool at welterweight.
His path to becoming one of the greatest fighters is considered difficult, which makes his record more impressive. Makhachev’s legacy is being shaped by his welterweight performances, even though they may not be as flashy as his lightweight fights. The co-main event featured Mackenzie Dern, who won her fight against Gillian Robertson in a unanimous decision.
Dern nearly submitted her opponent in the first round with a chokehold that changed the challenger’s face color. She expressed her desire to submit her opponent and said she was focused on improving with each fight. Dern’s performance has steadily improved over time, showing growth in her transitions, footwork, and overall confidence.
Her coach, Jason Parillo, has been instrumental in her development and is known for working with fighters across many eras of MMA. Even though she hasn’t yet beaten Zhang Weili, her evolution as a fighter continues to impress. The event also saw the retirement of veteran Edson Barboza, who received a standing ovation after his final lightweight loss.
Barboza began his MMA journey in 2009 and made his UFC debut a year later, earning multiple Fight of the Night honors. He left his gloves on the mat and choked back tears as he ended his career after a loss to Esteben Ribovics. Makhachev’s latest victory not only marks a personal achievement but also highlights his continued dominance in the sport.
His legacy is being built through consistent performances, strategic wins, and a strong team behind him. As he prepares for his next challenge, Makhachev continues to solidify his place among the greatest fighters in UFC history.
IMAGE: Islam Makhachev in 2023, after first Volkanovski win (UFC 284). Photo: Head of the Respublic of Dagestan (Q2344821) / Wikimedia, taken 2023-02-16, CC BY 3.0