Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC welterweight on Saturday night in the UFC 330 main event, but it wasn’t easy. Ian Machado Garry came to fight. He had a strong gameplan and he made the champion work as hard as anyone ever has since he started his reign.
Makhachev scored a knockdown in the second round, but it was his wrestling that was the difference. Makhachev couldn’t really control Garry in dominant position, but he controlled him and the challenger was unable to get much offense going. Garry was able to damage the champion’s face with punches in the clinch and he landed some hard body kicks to create some anxious moments, but in the end, the champion prevailed.
After the fight, he acknowledged, this was one of the toughest fights of his career.
UFC 330 Results: Mackenzie Dern Dominates Gillian Robertson
Mackenzie Dern proved all master grapplers aren’t made equal. The UFC strawweight champion retained her title with a dominant unanimous decision win (49-46×2, 48-47) over Gillian Robertson.
Early in the fight, Dern proved to be bigger, stronger, faster and the superior grappler. The win was Dern’s first successful title defense and her third win in a row overall. Robertson had been on a roll. That’s how she earned the opportunity. The loss snapped Robertson’s five-fight win streak.
Robertson won the final round as Dern was resigned to stay on her back with the fight in hand. That wasn’t the best decision. Still, she won the fight easily.
UFC 330 Results and Highlights
- Islam Makhachev def. Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision (49-46×2, 48-47) – for the welterweight title
- Mackenzie Dern def. Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision (49-46×2, 48-47) – for the strawweight title
- Jalin Turner def. Kaue Fernandes by KO (punches). Round 1, 0:39
- Dustin Stoltzfus def. Mansur Abdul-Malik by submission (rear-naked choke) Round 2, 4:25
- Esteban Ribovics def. Edson Barboza by TKO (referee stoppage). Round 2, 1:32
Barboza retired after the loss.
- Chidi Njokuani def. Joel Alvarez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Charles Johnson def. Eduardo “Chapolin” Henrique by submission (Scottish twister). Round 3, 1:36
- Donte Johnson def. Eric McConico by KO (punch). Round 1, 1:38
- Tresean Gore def. Vicente Luque by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Lucas Fernando def. Rafael Tobias by TKO (knee to the body). Round 3, 1:10
- Neil Magny def. Ramiz Brahimaj by TKO (punches). Round 2, 3:20
- Jeremiah Wells def. Myktybek Orolbai by technical submission (ninja choke). Round 3, 1:24
UFC 330 Bonus Winners
Jeremiah Wells, Charles Johnson, Jalin Turner and Dustin Stoltzfusall took home the $100K performance bonuses. There was no Fight of the Night.
Everyone who got a finish earned $25K bonus.