Islam Makhachev left Philadelphia with his belt, a record 17th straight UFC win and a bruised face. Ian Machado Garry lost on the cards, but one judge had it 48-47, and for the first time in years the champion looked hittable. That reopened an old question: was his lone defeat in 2015 a fluke, or did it show a flaw that the right opponent can still find?
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Where Islam Makhachev stood before UFC 330
Makhachev entered UFC 330 with a 28-1 record and a 16-fight win streak, level with Anderson Silva’s UFC record. After four lightweight title defenses, he moved up and beat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025 to become a two-division champion. The bond between Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, his friend, mentor and corner man, shaped his wrestling-first style and the expectation that nobody could stay upright against him. Most fans expected UFC 330 to be another one-sided win.
Key fights and moments that shaped perceptions
Four fights explain both his dominance and the cracks. Together they answer who beat Islam Makhachev, and why few have come close since.
Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry (15.08.2026)
Did Islam Makhachev win? Yes, by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47), but it was not easy. Garry stopped most takedowns and escaped submission attempts. Makhachev dropped him with a head kick in round two, yet Garry rallied, and his oblique kicks kept landing in round four. Makhachev started the fifth as the more marked-up fighter. Garry’s size and reach showed that distance management is where the champion can be pressured.
Islam Makhachev vs Adriano Martins (03.10.2015)
The Islam Makhachev loss came at UFC 192 in Houston, when Adriano Martins knocked him out with a single counter punch in the first round. Makhachev had walked straight in, chin high, looking to close distance for a takedown. That entry problem, closing the gap against a counter-puncher, is the same issue Garry tried to exploit nearly 11 years later.
Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan (20.04.2019)
In St. Petersburg, Tsarukyan, then a UFC debutant, took Makhachev the full 15 minutes. Makhachev won a unanimous decision, but Tsarukyan defended takedowns and won scrambles more often than anyone had. It was the first sign that an elite wrestler with good hips could slow down his Islam Makhachev fight plan, something to remember as he faces bigger welterweights.
UFC 330 main card context (15.08.2026)
UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena was the promotion’s first visit to Philadelphia in seven years, and the crowd loved Garry’s aggression. On the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern retained her strawweight title. Close rounds and a loud arena helped make the main event look tighter than two of the three scorecards suggested.
Camp, injuries and opponent readiness
No major injuries were reported after UFC 330, but the next camp will need to address specific issues on both sides. These are the most relevant points for who is Islam Makhachev fighting next:
- Makhachev: closing distance against longer welterweights without taking clean counters.
- Makhachev: body defence, since Garry’s oblique and body kicks scored repeatedly in the later rounds.
- Makhachev: age and turnaround; at 34 he wants to fight again before Ramadan, which means a short camp.
- Opponents: elite takedown defence for 25 minutes, the base that let Garry stay competitive.
- Opponents: reach and kicking range to keep Makhachev at the end of their strikes.
- Opponents: conditioning to survive an early knockdown, as Garry did in round two.
What decides the outcome next time
The deciding variable is the first takedown. If Makhachev lands it early, the fight follows his usual pattern. If the opponent stuffs the first two or three attempts, the champion has to strike, and that is where the Martins and Garry fights showed openings. Makhachev’s striking has improved: the head kick that floored Garry proves it. Still, opponents will measure success by three signs: takedown defence above 70%, body kicks landing in rounds three to five, and forcing him to reset at distance.
Final forecast
Makhachev should still be a clear favourite in his next defense, likely around 70% to 75% to win. Garry did not create a blueprint; he showed a pressure point. The 2015 loss remains an outlier from a younger, less complete fighter. The realistic threat is a long, kick-heavy welterweight with strong wrestling defence. His coach Javier Mendez put it simply: “Bring on the next one, we’re expecting to fight the best ones available.”
| Match week or stage | Date | Opponents or venue | Why it matters |
| UFC 192 | 03.10.2015 | Adriano Martins, Houston | His only career loss, a first-round KO |
| UFC Fight Night | 20.04.2019 | Arman Tsarukyan, St. Petersburg | First sign of elite takedown defence |
| UFC 322 | 15.11.2025 | Jack Della Maddalena, New York | Won welterweight title, two-division champion |
| UFC 330 | 15.08.2026 | Ian Machado Garry, Philadelphia | 17th straight UFC win, a record |
| Next defense | Late 2026 or January 2027 | Opponent to be confirmed | Before Ramadan, per Makhachev |
FAQ
When is Islam Makhachev next fight?
No date is confirmed. Makhachev said he wants to fight at the end of 2026 or in January 2027, before Ramadan. Official bookings appear on the UFC website.
Who is Islam Makhachev fighting next?
The UFC has not named an opponent. Michael Morales, the official backup for UFC 330, and Carlos Prates are the names most often linked. A rematch with Garry is unlikely so soon after a clear decision.
Did Islam Makhachev win at UFC 330 and what happened?
Yes, by unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry, after a round-two knockdown and a competitive second half. It extended his UFC win streak to 17. The only man who has beaten him remains Adriano Martins, in 2015. Full results are in ESPN’s UFC 330 recap.
Where can I watch Islam Makhachev fight and when is the event time?
In the US, UFC numbered events stream on Paramount+ under the promotion’s new media deal, with main cards usually starting on Saturday evening, Eastern Time. Check the UFC schedule for the exact time of his next fight.