Islam Makhachev retained his 170-pound welterweight title at UFC 330, shutting down Ian Machado Garry with a unanimous decision and cementing his spot at the top. This dude is relentless, and he proved it again.
Makhachev’s Grappling Dominates, But The Kick Was The Real Knockout
Right from the jump, Makhachev was on the attack. Round one was all about his insane grappling game, as he just suffocated Garry with prolonged takedown attempts. Garry tried to fire off some body kicks and get his striking going, but Makhachev was too quick closing the distance. Then, in Round Two, Makhachev unleashed something truly special. He caught Garry completely off guard with a head kick that sent him crashing down! That moment set the tone, letting Makhachev get back to his dominant grappling, just smothering his opponent. Garry kept moving forward though, you gotta give him that. He started landing some clean shots in the third, managing the distance and ripping some kicks without getting dragged back to the mat. It was a solid push back.
The Champion’s Reign Continues, With Some Judge Scrutiny
As the championship rounds hit, Makhachev was back to being a complete menace. He neutralized Garry, controlling the action with that suffocating grappling we all know. No doubt he was in charge, but some folks did point out he was a bit passive in those dominant positions. That left a tiny crack for judges to potentially see a round for Garry, which is a wild thought given the control. Still, the fifth and final round, which could’ve swung it, saw Makhachev back to his old tricks, controlling the mat and keeping Garry from unloading his kicks. This win? It’s huge. It’s Makhachev’s first successful defense of the welterweight title, adding to the four times he already defended his lightweight belt. The man is building an absolute legend here.
Who’s Next For The Champ? Makhachev Has Opinions
So, who steps up next to face this absolute machine? There are contenders, no doubt. Carlos Prates is making a strong case, rocking a 7-1 UFC record since 2024, with a three-fight win streak and a TKO over Jack Della Maddalena back in May. Makhachev himself likes Prates’ activity level. Then there’s Michael Morales, sitting on an insane 19-0 record, with his last win against Sean Brady in November. But Makhachev raised an eyebrow about Morales’s lack of fights. “He’s a good contender,one of the contenders, for sure,” Makhachev told reporters at media day. “Just one thing I don’t understand is why he don’t fight. He has to deserve [a title fight] because Prates is still active and fighting.” No matter who it is, whether it’s Prates or Morales, they’re going to have their hands full. Makhachev is proving he can dominate this welterweight division just like he did at lightweight. Get ready for the next one, folks, because this champ isn’t slowing down!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply