Islam Makhachev Claims 17th Straight Win with Decision Over Ian Machado Garry

Islam Makhachev surpassed Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive UFC wins with a 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 decision over Ian Machado Garry.

Islam Makhachev (29-1) made history at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia by securing a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry (17-2) at UFC 330. The judges scored the five-round, 170-pound contest 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of the Dagestani fighter. With this result, the 34-year-old surpassed middleweight legend Anderson Silva’s all-time record of 16 consecutive UFC wins, which had stood since October 2012. Makhachev’s streak now stands at 17 straight victories, a run that began in September 2016.

Wrestling Dominance and Second-Round Knockdown

The victory was largely defined by Makhachev’s grappling, as he successfully executed seven takedowns throughout the matchup. A pivotal moment occurred in the second round when Makhachev landed a head kick that resulted in a knockdown. Despite the pressure, Garry utilized his height and size advantage to work back to his feet against the fence repeatedly. The Irish fighter, currently 28 years old, managed to land stinging shots during clinch exchanges, finding his greatest success in the third and fourth rounds.

During the third frame, Garry stuffed multiple takedown attempts and landed several body kicks and heavy head kick attempts to keep the pound-for-pound king uncomfortable. By the fourth round, Garry’s offensive output left Makhachev’s face visibly marked. However, the momentum shifted back to the reigning champion in the final five minutes of the bout.

Securing the Win in the Fifth Round

In the opening 90 seconds of the fifth round, Makhachev initiated a successful shot on Garry’s legs. He maintained control for the remainder of the period, eventually transitioning to Garry’s back and locking in a body triangle to prevent any further separation. This tactical grappling neutralized Garry’s striking and ensured the decision win. UFC President Dana White noted that while Garry had the potential to pull an upset, he lacked the "killer instinct" needed in the final round, criticizing the decision to shake hands rather than pursue a finish with a flying knee or aggressive striking.

Legacy and Future Contenders

Makhachev, a longtime teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov, moved up to the welterweight division in November to pursue a second championship title. Following this record-breaking performance, he expressed respect for his opponent, stating that Garry provided a difficult challenge. Garry, who now holds a professional record of 17-2, dismissed excuses for the loss, acknowledging that Makhachev was the better fighter on the night while vowing to return for another decade of competition.

With the welterweight title picture now evolving, potential future challengers for Makhachev include Michael Morales of Ecuador, who holds an undefeated 19-0 record, and Brazil’s Carlos Prates, who carries a 24-7 professional mark. The UFC 330 main event solidified Makhachev’s status as the top pound-for-pound fighter globally, ending a record-setting drought that lasted over 13 years since the conclusion of Silva's 185-pound dominance.