Islam Makhachev beats Ian Machado Garry, stats, prize money & highlights from UFC 330
UFC 330: Makhachev v Machado Garry© Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC, © Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Islam Makhachev remained atop the welterweight division with a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry to retain his 170-pound title at UFC 330.
The opening frame was dominated by Makhachev's vaunted grappling game. Machado Garry tried to rip kicks to the body and establish hist striking, but Makhachev was able to close the distance and turn the round into a prolonged takedown attempt.
It was Makhachev’s striking that created the biggest moment of Round 2. He surprised Garry with a head kick that dropped his opponent and set up more dominant grappling from the champion.
Garry did well to continue moving forward as the fight wore on. He opened up his arsenal of kicks in the third round and managed the distance well enough to land a few clean shots without getting taken down.
Makhachev was once again smothering in the championship rounds. He effectively neutralized his opponent, but did draw some criticism for being passive in his dominant positions, leaving some room for the judges to see the round for Garry.
The fifth and final round could have decided the fight. Makhachev once again controlled the action with his grappling, keeping Garry from opening up with his kicks.
Makhachev continues to build his legacy as a dominant champion. This was his first successful defense of the welterweight title after defending his lightweight belt four times.
There are still multiple contenders who have a case to challenge Makhachev next in his new division, though. Carlos Prates is 7-1 since debuting in the UFC in 2024. He's currently on a three-fight win streak with a TKO win over Jack Della Maddalena in May.
That activity level has made him the champion's preferred opponent. However, he knows that Michael Morales will also have a case with a 19-0 record. Morales's last win came against Sean Brady in November, though.
"He's a good contender—one of the contenders, for sure," Makhachev
told reporters during UFC 330 media day. "Just one thing I don't understand is why he don't fight. He has to deserve [a title fight] because Prates is still active and fighting."
Either Morales or Prates would be a logical opponent, but neither would figure to be the favorite. Makhachev is proving that he could rule the welterweight division like he did at lightweight.
