The top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Islam Makhachev, put his welterweight title on the line in the UFC 330 main event on Saturday. The 34 year-old Russian faced No. 2 ranked contender Ian Machado Garry.
Makhachev entered the bout a heavy betting favorite with an opportunity to make history. If Makhachev emerged with the win, he’d surpass former middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history with 17.
They met in the middle of the cage. Garry pawed with his jab. Makhachev delivered a leg kick and Garry countered but came up short. Makhachev went high with a kick that was blocked. He changed levels and worked for a takedown. He put Garry on his back. Garry crawled to the cage. Makhachev kept the pressure on with Garry on one knee against the fence. Garry got back to his feet but remained in the clinch. Makhachev delivered knees to the legs. Garry worked to separate Makhachev’s hands. Makhachev continued to deliver knees to the legs. Garry didn’t absorb much damage but the round easily went to the champion.
Garry went high with a kick that was blocked. Garry stood in front of Makhachev. He measured the distance with his left arm. He delivered with a kick to the body. Makhachev came up short with a left hand. They clinched. Makhachev connected with a knee to the body. It was Garry that initiated the clinch. On the break, Makhachev landed a head kick that dropped Garry. Garry quickly got up but was met with a combination. Makhachev took him down. He worked in side control. With 90 seconds on the clock, Garry worked his way to half guard. Garry rolled to his knees. Makhachev connected with short punches to the body. Garry stood but ate a knee. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
Garry went high with a kick but came up short to start the third. He measured with his jab. An oblique kick found a knee for Garry. Garry went high with another kick but it was blocked. He connected with another oblique kick. Makhachev secured a takedown midway thorough the frame. Garry quickly got to his feet and separated. Garry went to the body with back to back kicks. Garry connected with a. head kick but Malhachev took it. Another oblique kick by Garry. Garry stuffed a takedown attempt. Garry opened up at the end. Makhachev looked fatigued with his mouth open. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Garry.
Makhachev came up short with a combination. Garry answered with an oblique kick. Garry delivered a hard kick to the body. Garry connected with a jab and Makhachev answered with a right. Makhachev went for a takedown. Garry worked to stand and got to his feet. Makhachev stayed with him. Garry targeted Makhachev’s body with punches. Makhachev pulled Garry to the canvas but Garry got back up. He landed shots on the inside while Makhachev secured a takedown. Garry quickly got to his feet and landed to the body. The round ended with Makhachev pressing Garry against the cage. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
Garry pawed with his jab and landed a kick to the body. Garry landed a hard right hand. He landed to the body with a right hand. Garry connected with a straight right hand. Garry continued to target the body of the champion. Makhachev changed levels and got a takedown. Garry immediately got back to his feet but couldn’t break away from Makhachev. Makhachev pulled Garry to the ground and took his back. Makhachev applied a body triangle. Makhachev softened Garry up with short punches. Garry was unable to get free from the bad position and that’s how the fight ended. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
The judges scored the fight for Makhachev via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.