Islam Makhachev made UFC history on Saturday by recording his 17th consecutive victory, surpassing Anderson Silva’s previous record of 16, while successfully defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Makhachev won by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the five-round bout 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47.
The victory strengthened Makhachev’s position as one of the UFC’s most dominant fighters, but it was far from routine. Garry, a 28-year-old Irish challenger, repeatedly resisted Makhachev’s takedown attempts and used his size, reach and striking to make the champion work throughout the fight.
Makhachev’s grappling remained the defining feature of the contest. His ability to control exchanges on the ground and maintain pressure helped him secure the decision, while a second-round head kick briefly dropped Garry and demonstrated that the champion’s striking remains a significant part of his arsenal.
Garry, however, showed that Makhachev is not invulnerable. He defended several takedown attempts, created difficulties for the champion in the later rounds and landed effective strikes, particularly in the third round. His performance suggested that Makhachev’s move and continued reign in the larger welterweight division could present tougher physical and stylistic challenges than his previous run at lightweight.
The record is particularly significant because Makhachev overtook Anderson Silva, whose 16-fight UFC winning streak had stood as the promotion’s benchmark. Makhachev’s latest victory also marked his first successful defense of the welterweight championship after previously establishing himself as the UFC’s lightweight champion.
Despite the competitive nature of the fight, Makhachev’s consistency once again proved decisive. Rather than relying exclusively on wrestling, he combined grappling, positional control, striking and patience to navigate five demanding rounds against a taller and longer opponent.
The result leaves Makhachev with a 29-1 professional record and 17 consecutive UFC victories, further strengthening his legacy in the sport. Yet UFC 330 also provided an important warning to the division: the record may be historic, but maintaining it will become increasingly difficult as larger and more versatile challengers test the champion’s limits.
Garry’s performance, despite the defeat, could also enhance his standing among the division’s elite. He was unable to take the title from Makhachev, but his ability to withstand the champion’s pressure and remain competitive over five rounds demonstrated that the welterweight division may have a genuine threat capable of pushing the record-holder to his limits.
