‘Ian Garry would have won if he ate a steak’: Pros react to Islam Makhachev eking out title fight win at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev retained his welterweight title at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Saturday, earning a unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry in a hard-fought main event. The champion's elite wrestling and a well-timed head kick proved the difference as he outpointed a competitive Garry across five rounds. The victory extends Makhachev's winning streak to 17 consecutive fights, breaking a tie with Anderson Silva for the longest active streak in UFC history. Makhachev also becomes only the fifth fighter ever to successfully defend titles in two divisions, joining Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes—a distinction he earned after previously reigning as the lightweight champion. While the result disappointed Garry, the prospect earned respect for pushing the elite champion and forcing him to employ his full skill set to secure victory. The fight drew attention from combat sports personalities, with analyst Brendan Schaub humorously suggesting a dietary adjustment could have altered the outcome. Makhachev's dominant outing cements his status among the sport's elite title holders, though Garry's performance demonstrated he belongs at the championship level.