Islam Makhachev defended the welterweight title at UFC 330, defeating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision. The victory sets the record for the longest win streak in UFC history.
Islam Makhachev cemented his place as the greatest winner in UFC history on August 15, defeating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 330 to defend the welterweight title and establish the longest win streak the promotion has ever seen.
Makhachev, 34, entered the night already regarded as the sport's pound-for-pound king, and his performance against the top-ranked contender only reinforced that standing. The Russian southpaw carries a 28-1-0 record and represents Eagles MMA, bringing a complete grappling-and-striking game to every outing. He averages 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes and lands submissions at a rate of 1.1 attempts per fifteen minutes, complementing a striking accuracy of 58 percent — among the highest in the division.
Garry, known as "The Future," arrived at UFC 330 as the welterweight division's number-one contender with a 17-1-0 record. The 28-year-old orthodox fighter stands six-foot-three with a 74-inch reach, giving him a significant size advantage over the champion. He generates an impressive 4.78 significant strikes per minute and had entered the bout with momentum built across a strong run at the top of the division. Saturday's loss marks only the second defeat of his professional career.
Why it matters
- Makhachev now holds the outright record for the longest win streak in UFC history, surpassing a benchmark that had stood for years
- The victory keeps him firmly atop the pound-for-pound rankings and cements his legacy among the all-time greats
- Garry, despite the defeat, proved his elite-level credentials and at 28 retains plenty of time to rebuild toward another title shot
- The welterweight division now looks for its next credible challenger to face a champion who appears to have no obvious weaknesses
Saturday, August 15, 2026
