Makhachev, Dern Keep UFC Titles and Top Rankings After UFC 330
Both champions turned back ranked contenders in Philadelphia, leaving ESPN's welterweight and strawweight rankings unchanged.
Islam Makhachev and Mackenzie Dern both kept their UFC championships this past Saturday, and neither result moved ESPN's divisional rankings an inch.
Makhachev, the welterweight champion, beat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in the main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, according to CBS Sports. The win gave Makhachev 17 consecutive victories inside the UFC's Octagon, breaking the record set by Anderson Silva, CBS Sports reported. Makhachev, now 29-1 in his career and 18-1 in the UFC, is 34 years old, according to Yahoo Sports.
In the co-main event, strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern went the distance with challenger Gillian Robertson to retain her belt, ESPN reported. Because both champions won, ESPN's rankings held steady: Makhachev stays No. 1 and Machado Garry No. 2 at 170 pounds, while Dern remains No. 2 at 115 pounds and Robertson holds the No. 5 spot. No other ranked fighters competed over the weekend, according to ESPN.
A close fight raises questions
Machado Garry, a 17-2 fighter from Ireland, used his size and reach to blunt much of Makhachev's striking and repeatedly escaped Makhachev's grappling attempts, CBS Sports reported. He also landed a head kick in the second round that dropped Makhachev, though he could not finish the fight, according to CBS Sports. The closeness of the bout left some wondering whether Makhachev, at 34, is nearing the limit of what he can do at welterweight against bigger strikers such as Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, CBS Sports reported.
UFC President and CEO Dana White told reporters at the post-fight press conference that he thought the fight was primed for an upset given how much Makhachev had on the line, according to UFC. White said Machado Garry's takedown defense was impressive and suggested the challenger might have won had he pressed harder in the final round, UFC reported. White also said Machado Garry told him afterward, "I know I'm one of the best in the world, and I'll be back," according to UFC.
Usman makes his case
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who had campaigned for a shot at Makhachev before the promotion booked Machado Garry instead, said on his "Pound 4 Pound" podcast that he still believes he is the right style matchup to beat the champion, Yahoo Sports reported. Usman, who moved up to middleweight and lost to Dricus Du Plessis in his most recent fight, said he never viewed Machado Garry as the rightful No. 1 contender, according to Yahoo Sports. Usman is 21-5 overall and 16-4 in the UFC, Yahoo Sports reported.
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