Makhachev breaks UFC win streak record at UFC 330; Dern retains strawweight title in Philadelphia

Dern retains strawweight title in first defense

Mackenzie Dern (17-5) successfully defended the 115-pound strawweight championship for the first time, winning a unanimous decision over Gillian Robertson (17-9) at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Saturday night. The scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Dern had won the vacant belt at UFC 321 in her previous outing. She nearly finished the bout in the first round with a choke that left Robertson's face flushed before the bell saved the challenger. The remaining four rounds settled into a grinding affair on the canvas with little striking exchanged, drawing boos from the crowd in the fifth round. Dern's 7-year-old daughter shouted encouragement from her front-row seat, her voice carrying over the subdued arena.

“I wanted to get the submission with Gillian. I definitely wanted to submit her. That was the goal.”

Makhachev surpasses Silva with 17th consecutive win

Islam Makhachev (28-1) defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) in the main event, securing his 17th consecutive UFC victory and moving past Anderson Silva's mark of 16. Silva's streak ran from June 2006 to October 2012; Makhachev's began in September 2016 with a unanimous decision over Chris Wade, and 11 of the 17 wins ended in finishes. Makhachev, the UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter, controlled the early rounds with wrestling and dropped Garry with a head kick in the second. The 28-year-old Irish challenger responded in rounds three and four, using his longer frame to stuff takedowns and land body strikes while Makhachev appeared visibly fatigued. In the fifth round, Makhachev secured a decisive takedown with under three minutes remaining to seal the verdict.

Makhachev consecutive wins17

Silva consecutive wins16

Makhachev finishes in streak11

Makhachev title-fight wins in streak7

Makhachev consecutive wins

17

Silva consecutive wins

16

Makhachev finishes in streak

11

Makhachev title-fight wins in streak

7

Data from the article text

“Ian is a great fighter, a good man, and he gave me a hard time. But I still prove (myself) every fight.”

Makhachev, 34, won the welterweight crown at UFC 322 in November 2025 by beating Jack Della Maddalena. His streak includes seven consecutive title-fight victories since October 2022, the first five for the lightweight title and the past two at welterweight. He recorded four lightweight title defenses, surpassing his childhood friend and current coach Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev identified his first fight against Alexander Volkanovski in February 2023 in Australia as the toughest of the streak. Garry, who entered seeking to become a generational champion, took the loss with composure and pointed to his age as reason for optimism.

“I believed in my heart and in my soul I was better than him tonight; he won, I have no complaints, no excuses. This was the best camp of my life. I'm 28 years of age, I have a decade of domination in this sport [ahead].”

Barboza retires after main-card loss

Edson Barboza, 40, retired from MMA after a lightweight loss to Esteben Ribovics on the main card. The Brazilian's career began in 2009, with his UFC debut following a year later. He earned multiple Fight of the Night bonuses across his tenure but lost his final four bouts. Barboza placed his gloves on the canvas, received a standing ovation alongside his family, and was consoled by UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer on his walk back to the locker room.

“Every single fight, I promise I did my best.”