Islam Makhachev puts Ian Machado Garry in rare company after UFC 330

Islam Makhachev extended his UFC winning streak to 17 consecutive victories—a new organization record—by defending his welterweight title against a resilient Ian Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. The Dagestani wrestler controlled most of the five-round main event through superior wrestling and grappling, winning a unanimous decision despite Garry's determined defensive efforts under the coaching of former UFC fighter Demian Maia. Makhachev praised Garry's improvements and character while stopping short of calling it his toughest fight, hinting that his first bout with Alexander Volkanovski remained on par or exceeded the difficulty. "Yeah, he's a great fighter, good man and I just respect him," Makhachev told Joe Rogan. "He gave me a hard time, but I still prove every fight." The champion also credited Maia's influence on Garry's grappling development. "He improved a lot. He is working with one of the best fighter coaches, Demian Maia. That's why I see he improved his grappling also." With 17 straight UFC wins now in the books, Makhachev stands among the sport's elite. Garry, meanwhile, must rebuild his title credentials as contenders Carlos Prates and Michael Morales pursue the 170-pound championship.