Islam Makhachev Eyes 3 More Welterweight Fights After UFC 330 Record Win

Q: After breaking a legendary win streak record, who will the UFC force Makhachev to fight next despite his strong objections?

It was **Ian Machado Garry**. Before UFC 330, the UFC booked Makhachev to defend his welterweight title against Garry despite Makhachev making clear he preferred other matchups. Reporting around the fight said Makhachev had hinted that **Carlos Prates or Michael Morales** would be more interesting and more deserving next opponents, rather than Garry. Instead, the promotion “pulled the trigger” on Garry’s first welterweight title shot, and Makhachev went on to beat him by unanimous decision in Philadelphia. That win pushed Makhachev’s UFC streak to **17 straight victories**, moving him past **Anderson Silva** for the promotion’s record. Now, after breaking that mark, the next likely opponent appears to be **Carlos Prates or Michael Morales**, with Makhachev publicly favoring Prates and arguing Morales should still beat a top contender first.

Q: Why did Dana White praise a historic title defense that left so many fight fans complaining about a lack of excitement?

Dana White praised Islam Makhachev’s UFC 330 win because he judged it by difficulty and historical significance, not by entertainment value alone. White emphasized that Makhachev beat a “big, strong, rangy” Ian Machado Garry who defended takedowns well and made the champion work. In White’s view, Makhachev “did exactly what he needed to do to win,” using wrestling control, composure and a key head-kick knockdown to handle a dangerous opponent in a higher weight class. He also pointed to the size and style matchup as proof of how hard the assignment really was. The result also carried unusual historical weight. By winning, Makhachev reached 17 straight UFC victories, breaking Anderson Silva’s long-standing record. White said that mark “might never be broken” in his lifetime, which helps explain why he treated the performance as a major achievement even though many fans found the fight dull. White’s comments also suggest he placed some of the blame for the lack of drama on Garry, not Makhachev. He criticized Garry for showing too much respect in the fifth round, saying the challenger lacked “killer instinct” and should have come out aggressively trying to force a finish instead of opening with handshakes and hugs. So while fans complained about a low-action main event, White saw a champion solving a very hard fight, preserving his belt, and setting a record that may stand for years.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Aug 25

Makhachev said he expects at least three more welterweight fights, pushing back on retirement talk that followed his record-setting UFC 330 title defense.
UFC 330 still left him unsatisfied: he said the win over Ian Machado Garry was harder than expected, and that stronger contenders in a growing division mean he must improve further.
That defense gave Makhachev the UFC record for consecutive wins, but he said he is not focused on chasing a specific next mark, including the title-fights record.
Carlos Prates and Michael Morales appear to be the leading options for his next bout after both sat cageside at UFC 330, with Morales also serving as the backup fighter.