Makhachev Retains UFC Welterweight Title, Shatters Record
Islam Makhachev puts his UFC welterweight title on the line against Ian Machado Garry at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
- Makhachev enters at 28-1, riding a 16-fight UFC win streak.
- Garry, 28, holds a 17-1 record; his only loss came to Shavkat Rakhmonov.
- Garry stands 6'3" with a 74-inch reach; Makhachev is 5'10" with a 70-inch reach.
- Makhachev is listed at -340 to -370 odds; Garry at +270 to +290.
Why it matters: A Makhachev win ties Anderson Silva's record for the longest win streak in UFC history at 17. A Garry win would be one of the sport's bigger upsets in recent years.
- Makhachev won the welterweight belt by unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena in late 2025, after vacating the lightweight title following four defenses.
- Garry bounced back from his Rakhmonov loss with unanimous-decision wins over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad.
How 17 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage agrees Makhachev is a heavy favorite; the dispute is whether Garry's size and reach give him a realistic path to a decision win or whether Makhachev's grappling closes that window.
Center coverage, 9 sources: The center focuses on the historical stakes — Makhachev's record-chasing win streak — and presents the matchup as a legitimate, if unlikely, upset opportunity for Garry.
Left coverage, 5 sources: The left frames the fight around Makhachev's dominant credentials and Garry's divisive personality, noting the Irishman's confidence despite long odds.
Right coverage, 3 sources: The right emphasizes betting angles and Garry's physical advantages, treating the upset scenario as a genuine market opportunity rather than a long shot.
What’s next: The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+; the main event is expected around 10:30 p.m. ET.
- UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with the main card beginning at 2 a.m. BST Sunday.
- Can Garry sustain Makhachev's grappling pressure for five full championship rounds?
- Will Makhachev's welterweight tenure require major adjustments against a significantly taller and longer opponent?
