Makhachev Makes More History as UFC 330 Delivers Knockouts and Comebacks
Islam Makhachev continues to add to his case as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
Makhachev successfully defended his welterweight championship for the second time, defeating Ian Garry while making UFC history in the process. With the victory, Makhachev broke his tie with Anderson Silva and now stands alone with the longest winning streak in UFC history at 17 consecutive victories.
The performance once again showcased the trademark suffocating wrestling that has made Makhachev so difficult to solve. But it wasn’t just his grappling that stood out. Makhachev also dropped Garry with a high kick, demonstrating his elite striking.
After already cleaning out the lightweight division, Makhachev has moved up to welterweight and somehow managed to look even more dominant despite giving up size to his opponents. His ability to control larger fighters while maintaining the same relentless pace has only strengthened his claim to generational greatness.
Dern Makes Her First Successful Defense
Mackenzie Dern also added another chapter to her championship run, earning her first successful defense of the UFC women’s strawweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Gillian Robertson.
Dern’s world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu once again proved to be a major difference-maker whenever the fight hit the ground, keeping Robertson a step behind in the grappling exchanges.
On the feet, Dern showed another side of her game. Her jab and aggression allowed her to dictate exchanges and prevent Robertson from finding a consistent rhythm.
Johnson, Turner, & Fernandez Deliver Explosive Finishes
Undefeated Donte Johnson turned heads with a devastating first-round knockout of Eric McConico.
Johnson landed a laser-like left hand that violently spun McConico’s head, bringing the fight to an immediate conclusion and further establishing Johnson as a prospect to watch.
The fastest finish of the night belonged to Jalin Turner, who needed just 39 seconds to put away Kaue Fernandes. Turner landed a perfectly timed left hook that sent Fernandes down and brought the contest to a sudden end.
Lucas Fernandez also made an impressive statement in his UFC debut, stopping Rafael Tobias by third-round TKO. Fernandez displayed educated striking throughout the fight, using a stiff jab, sharp combinations and snapping leg kicks to steadily break Tobias down. In the third round, Fernandez landed a step-in knee to the liver that dropped Tobias to the canvas. Fernandez quickly followed him to the ground, where a barrage of elbows forced the stoppage and sealed an impressive debut victory.
Comebacks Highlight the Early Action
Comebacks became a theme early in the night.
Jeremiah Wells overcame two difficult rounds of grappling before turning the tables on Myktybek Orolbai in the third. Wells found the opening he needed and put Orolbai to sleep, completing a dramatic comeback victory.
Neil Magny also found himself fighting from his back during the opening stages, spending much of the first round and a significant portion of the second underneath Ramiz Brahimaj.
But Magny refused to stay there.
The veteran changed the fight with a relentless attack from the clinch before taking the action to the ground and unloading with punches. What looked like a fight controlled by Brahimaj turned into another comeback victory.
From Makhachev making UFC history to championship success for Dern, devastating knockouts from Johnson and Turner, and a pair of dramatic comebacks, UFC 330 delivered a night filled with memorable performances.
Quick Results
UFC 330 Main Card on Paramount (9 p.m. ET):
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UFC 170 Title: (Champ) Islam Makhachev (29-1) def. Ian Garry (17-2) by (48-47, 49-46 x2) Unanimous Decision
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UFC Women’s 115 Title: (Champ) Mackenzie Dern (17-5) def. Gillian Robertson (17-9) by (48-47, 49-46 x2) Unanimous Decision
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Lightweight: Jalin Turner (16-9) def. Kaue Fernandes (11-3) by KO (Left Hook & Ground Strikes) 0:39 R1
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Middleweight: Dustin Stoltzfus (17-8) def. Mansur Abdul-Malik (9-2-1) by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 4:25 R2
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Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics (16-3) def. Edson Barboza (24-15) by TKO (Punches) 1:34 R2
UFC 330 Prelims Card
- Welterweight: Chidi Njokuani (26-12) def. Joel Alvarez (23-5) by (29-28, 30-27 x2) Unanimous Decision
- welterweight: Neil Magny (32-14) def. Ramiz Brahimaj (13-7) by TKO (Punches in clinch & ground) 3:20 R2
- welterweight: Jeremiah Wells (14-4-1) def. Myktybek Orolbai (16-3-1) by Submission (Guillotine Choke) 1:24 R1
- Flyweight: Charles Johnson (20-9) def. Eduardo Chapolin (15-3) by Submission 1:36 R3
- Middleweight: Donte Johnson (9-0) def. Eric McConico (11-5-1) by KO 1:38 R1
- Middleweight: Tresean Gore (7-4) def. Vicente Luque (24-13-1) by (29-28, 30-27×2) Unanimous Decision
- Light Heavyweight : Lucas Fernando (14-3) def. Rafael Tobias (13-4) by TKO (Knee to Body & Elbows on Ground) 1:10 R3
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