Islam Makhachev now holds the file for essentially the most consecutive wins in UFC historical past with 17 in a row after he defeated Ian Machado Garry in a back-and-forth battle in the principle occasion at UFC 330.
The earlier file for 16 in a row was held by Anderson Silva however now Makhachev stands alone whereas additionally defending his welterweight title for the primary time.
It was a grueling battle that Makhachev needed to intestine out the victory after he almost scored a end early on when he clipped Garry with a head kick that despatched the Irishman crashing to the canvas. Garry survived and gave Makhachev all the things he may deal with however the Russian’s wrestling, grappling and floor management had been simply an excessive amount of to beat.
When it was over the judges scored the battle 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 with Makhachev getting the unanimous choice victory.
“Ian is a good fighter, an excellent man and I simply respect him,” Makhachev mentioned after the victory. “He gave me a tough time however I nonetheless show each battle. Thanks for this match. Perhaps in Australia, the primary one [with Alexander Volkanovski], it’s additionally very laborious. I really feel guys have extra energy [at welterweight], very laborious to submit them however nonetheless my recreation is working.”
As for Garry, he supplied no excuses in defeat and repeatedly praised Makhachev’s staff as the most effective on this planet.
“Nothing shocked me,” Garry mentioned after struggling simply the second lack of his profession. “I’ve nothing however respect for Islam. I believed in my coronary heart and my soul I used to be higher than him tonight. He gained. I’ve no complaints. No excuses. That is the most effective camp of my life. I’m happy with my staff.
“This man gained tonight. I’m OK. I can take that on my sleeve, regroup and get higher. I’ll be again.”
Some early leg kicks led to Makhachev diving for a single-leg and placing Garry on the bottom early within the opening spherical. Makhachev maintained management as he sought to take Garry’s again whereas peppering the challenger with knees.
Garry did handle to get again to his ft however he couldn’t break Makhachev’s hand management as the primary spherical got here to an finish.
On the restart, Garry opened with kicks together with one going as much as the top and an indirect kick making an attempt to go after Makhachev’s knee. Makhachev ended up grabbing the Muay Thai plum to throw knees and on separation, the welterweight champion threw a head kick that surprised Garry and ship him crashing to the bottom.
Makhachev instantly secured a takedown and moved into aspect management the place he started raining down punches and elbows. Garry survived however Makhachev made fairly an announcement with the top kick within the second spherical.
It didn’t take lengthy for Makhachev to safe one other takedown however Garry managed to reverse positions to flee and get again to his ft. Garry began throwing extra kicks as he tried to keep up his attain benefit and Makhachev was abruptly working on his backfoot.
The fourth spherical opened with Garry slamming residence a physique kick as he continued gaining momentum over the champion. Makhachev lastly shot inside and secured one other takedown as Garry labored to get again to his ft.
That led to Makhachev getting a beneath Garry, lifting him into the air and bringing him crashing again all the way down to the canvas. Garry saved making an attempt to interrupt free however Makhachev maintained management whereas making an attempt to pull him again down once more.
With 5 minutes remaining, Garry stung Makhachev with a stiff punch to open the spherical adopted by a nasty physique kick. A takedown from Makhachev was shortly countered by Garry as they battled for place towards the cage.
However Makhachev lastly exploded and secured the takedown earlier than taking Garry’s again on the bottom. Makhachev latched onto the physique triangle whereas making an attempt to arrange submissions and Garry was caught hand preventing simply to stop getting caught in one thing.
With time operating out, Makhachev began punching from the again and Garry simply couldn’t escape and that successfully ended the battle.
Whereas not his most spectacular exhibiting, Makhachev confirmed he can discover a technique to win even when a few of his greatest and handiest weapons get neutralized. He maintains his place as welterweight champion and undoubtedly proves once more he’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter within the sport.
In the meantime, Garry might have suffered a loss however he nonetheless confirmed he belongs in there with the most effective of the most effective and contemplating his efficiency, there’s an excellent likelihood it gained’t take him that lengthy to earn one other shot at welterweight gold.
