Makhachev, Dern make history in UFC 330 title victories

Islam Makhachev and Mackenzie Dern made history at UFC 330 with their championship victories. The UFC, in Philadelphia, brought two championship bouts, both featuring underdogs hoping to upset the trends. Makhachev, the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision, extending his winning streak to a record 17 straight victories and surpassing Anderson Silva's previous record.

Makhachev controlled the early rounds with leg kicks and top control, using his Dagestani wrestling style to secure the win. Dern, fighting out of Huntington Beach, dominated Gillian Robertson in her title defense, taking the Canadian down and controlling the grappling exchanges throughout the five rounds. Dern nearly submitted Robertson with a rear-naked choke in the first round and continued to threaten all five rounds, retaining her title with another unanimous decision.

The night also featured memorable finishes, including Charles Johnson's rare Scottish Twister submission, and Jalin Turner's quick knockout of Kaue Fernandes with a powerful left hand and ground strikes. Lightweight veteran Edson Barboza Jr. made an emotional exit from the Octagon after a tough loss, marking the end of his career at 40-years-old. UFC 331 is scheduled to take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on September 19, 2026.