Islam Makhachev cemented his legacy at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night by securing his 17th consecutive victory, a new UFC record.

The pound-for-pound top-ranked fighter successfully defended his welterweight championship against Ireland's Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision, with judges scoring the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.

Makhachev's win streak now surpasses the 16 consecutive victories previously held by UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva, who achieved his mark between 2006 and 2013. Throughout the 25-minute championship fight, Makhachev controlled the tempo, utilizing effective top control and wrestling while also landing significant strikes, including a notable head kick in the second round.

Machado Garry, who aimed to become only the second undisputed UFC champion from Ireland, demonstrated strong defensive grappling to escape dangerous positions but struggled to generate enough offense to sway the judges. "I have nothing but respect for Islam. … He won. I have no complaints, no excuses," Machado Garry stated after the fight. Makhachev acknowledged the difficulty of the bout, noting, "It’s always hard grinding out the victory against the challenger in the championship rounds."

In the co-main event, UFC women’s strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern also defended her title for the first time, defeating Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision with identical scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Dern utilized dominant grappling and submission threats over the five-round contest. Dern, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, controlled much of the action on the mat, consistently threatening transitions and clinching attacks. She came close to finishing Robertson with a rear-naked choke just before the end of the first round. Despite having expressed confidence in securing a finish, Dern expressed satisfaction with her comprehensive five-round performance. "She’s good. … Thank you, I appreciate you," Dern said following her victory. The UFC is scheduled to return to the West Coast next Saturday, with a middleweight bout between Anthony Hernandez headlining a UFC Fight Night event in Sacramento, California.

Makhachev's dominant performance against Machado Garry not only adds a significant record to his career but also reinforces his position at the top of the welterweight division. His ability to blend wrestling, striking, and positional control has proven a formidable challenge for opponents seeking to dethrone him.

The event in Philadelphia saw two championship bouts, with both titleholders successfully retaining their belts. Dern's first title defense also showcased her grappling prowess, setting her up for future challenges in the strawweight division.