This is the UFC 330 live blog for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry, the welterweight championship main event Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Islam Makhachev reigns as the No. 1-ranked fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, while Garry is tied with Michael Morales for the No. 3 spot at 170 pounds in our Global Rankings.
Not only is Makhachev (28-1) looking to join Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, and Amanda Nunes as the only fighters in UFC history to successfully defend titles in two weight classes, he also goes for his 17th straight win, which put him in sole possession of the promotion’s longest-ever win streak, passing the legendary Anderson Silva. Makhachev already holds the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses (4) and captured welterweight gold this past November with a dominant decision win over Jack Della Maddalena.
Garry (17-1) has long touted himself as a future UFC champion and the time is now for him to put his money where his mouth is. The brash Irishman won his first eight UFC fights before losing a decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov, but has bounced back with consecutive victories over former champion Belal Muhammad and top contender Carlos Prates. Though Garry is a live underdog, dethroning Makhachev would unquestionably send major ripples through the MMA world.
Check out the UFC 330 live blog for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry below.
I know I keep beating this drum, but…
Ilia Topuria. Alex Pereira. Khamzat Chimaev.
Is Islam Makhachev THE NEXT TO FALL???
Obviously, Ian Machado Garry has been the underdog since this matchup was announced. He currently sits at +265 on FanDuel. The champion Makhachev a big favorite at -330.
Herb Dean the third man in the cage for this one.
Makhachev making use of leg kicks early. Garry presses forward with a couple of straight punches, Makhachev evades. Garry blocks a Makhachev high kick. Makhachev dives for a leg, he gets Garry on his back and works to secure the position. Absolute vise grip from the champion. Nice knee from Makhachev as Garry works to stand. Makhachev powers Garry to the fence.
Makhachev just leaning on Garry, firing knees into his hip. Not much damage to speak of, but Garry is fully in defense mode. “F*ck you, Garry” chants ringing out through Xfinity Mobile Arena. Makhachev stuck to him like glue.
Still little significant offense, but that’s a round in the books for Makhachev.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev.
Garry not hesitating to throw kicks from distance. Makes sense, he got taken down being conservative in the first round so maybe take a few more risks. Little output from both fighters as they size each other up. There’s a body kick for Garry. Looks like there might have been a kick below the belt, Makhachev doesn’t react, but Garry pauses to apologize.
Makhachev gets a hold of Garry, but Garry forces the action to the cage while sneaking in body shots. They separate and Makhachev lands a punch and then a MASSIVE head kick. Garry is dropped. He’s back up fast, but he looks wobbly. Makhachev closes the distance and throws Garry. The champion in complete control with two minutes left in Round 2.
This might be giving Garry time to recover, but he’s being smothered. Garry trying to work his way up, Makhachev with relentless pressure, just draining that gas tank.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 20-18 Makhachev.
Garry trying to set up his offense with kicks but there’s been little follow-up and Makhachev has been the more dangerous fighter in close. Garry at least managing to keep the champion at bay this round, but not sure how he expects to win throwing almost nothing. Then again, not much from Makhachev right now either.
Almost on cue, Makhachev dives in for a leg and there’s the takedown. Garry not fully down and he manages to reverse position, stand, and land a few strikes. Impressive sequence for the challenger. Garry lands a head kick and that got Makhachev’s attention. Oblique kick scores for Garry, he’s been working to establish that. Round to the challenger, perhaps.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Garry. Overall, 29-28 Makhachev.
Garry again attacks the oblique. Hard body kick by Garry, he’s scoring points. Makhachev with a single leg, Garry countering well and they’re scrambling. Makhachev relentless with his wrestling and he gets the takedown, Garry already working to get up. The champion wants to stay heavy, but Garry’s size is helping him to find an angle to power up.
Garry with short shots to the body. This is a tough round to score. Makhachev with a high-crotch lift and he dumps Garry, with little impact, though. An argument could be made Garry has done more damage, minimal as it is.
Big effort from Makhachev to score another takedown, but Garry is right back up. I think he’s winning this round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Garry. Overall, 38-38.
Garry working to cut off the cage. Makhachev with a couple of punches to back Garry off, but Garry catches him with a counter right. Straight right scores for Garry. Takedown from Makhachev, not much behind it but he initiates a scramble and Garry is right back up. They’re back in a familiar struggle against the fence.
Clean takedown for Makhachev and he has the back. Garry not getting back up easily this time. Less than half a round to go and Makhachev is in control. No answer for Garry right now with Makhachev stuck to his back, landing short strikes, and vaguely threatening a choke. Love it or hate it, this is winning.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 48-47 Makhachev.
Official result: Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)
Makhachev: “Ian is a great fighter. Good man and I just respect him. He gave me a hard time, but I still rule every fight. Thank you for this match.”
Was this the most difficult fight of your career?
“Maybe in Australia, the first one against [Volkanovski] was also very hard.”
Makhachev says Garry’s work with Demian Maia clearly helped him improve his grappling, though he admits fighting at welterweight is a different beast.
“I feel guys have more power, hard to submit them, but still my game is working. I take down all my opponents, give them a hard time there.”
