Islam Makhachev proved he’s still the best active fighter in the UFC and the king of the welterweight division. It wasn’t easy, but Makhachev scored a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Garry made Makhachev work hard for every takedown (there were seven of them) and he did some damage to the champion’s face.
Still, Makhachev prevailed. After the fight, UFC President Dana White expressed his distaste for Garry’s actions ahead of the fifth and final round. Let’s talk UFC.
Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry Key Facts
- Winner: Islam Makhachev
- Opponent: Ian Machado Garry
- Result: Unanimous decision
- Scorecards: 49-46, 49-46, 48-47
- At stake: UFC welterweight title
- Event: UFC 330
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Card position: Main event
- Distance: Five rounds
Makhachev has been taken down by only two fighters across his UFC career. The bout closed a card at Xfinity Mobile Arena that also produced Edson Barboza’s retirement and Mackenzie Dern’s first strawweight title defense.
White slammed Garry for shaking hands and embracing Makhachev before the final round. “That s*** drives me f****** crazy,” White said. “You don’t come out, shake hands and hug before the 5th round. You come out in that 5th round with the flying knee or something crazy and you’re trying to finish the fight.”
As it was, Garry needed a finish and the champion was definitely tired and not evading shots as easily as he had earlier in the fight. It could be argued that if Garry were more aggressive and less of an admirer of the champion, he might have given himself a chance to win the last round.
If he had, he could have won the fight on one of the judges’ cards as one had it 48-47 for Makhachev. As it is, Garry will have to settle for a strong performance, but one that was not good enough for him to become champion.
