Islam Makhachev celebrates with both the lightweight and welterweight championship belts draped over his shoulders after defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Sunday. The lightweight belt had in fact been relinquished to the UFC before Makhachev moved up to welterweight. [UFC]
Islam Makhachev celebrates with both the lightweight and welterweight championship belts draped over his shoulders after defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on Sunday. The lightweight belt had in fact been relinquished to the UFC before Makhachev moved up to welterweight. [UFC]

Islam Makhachev of Russia extended his winning streak to 17 fights — a new UFC record — after defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry, cementing his status as the sport's greatest of all time.

With the record now his, challengers are already eyeing the prize. Carlos Prates has emerged as the consensus next contender, while former featherweight champion Max Holloway, who recently moved up to welterweight, ignited a feud by calling out Makhachev for draping two championship belts over his shoulders during the post-fight celebration.

Makhachev, 34, defeated No. 1-ranked contender Ian Machado Garry, 28, of Ireland by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) after five rounds in the main event of UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry, held Sunday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Garry's long-range striking troubled Makhachev at times, and the performance was not dominant, but it was a comfortable enough victory. With the win, Makhachev surpassed former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva's record of 16 consecutive victories to set a new all-time UFC winning-streak mark, improving his career record to 29-1. He also became the fifth fighter in UFC history to successfully defend titles in two different weight classes, having previously held and defended the lightweight belt.

After the judges' scorecards were announced, Makhachev's coach and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov draped both championship belts over his pupil's shoulders. "Welterweight fighters are stronger, so it's very hard to submit them," Makhachev said, "but my game still works."

Islam Makhachev (right) lands a sharp straight punch on Ian Garry. [UFC]
Islam Makhachev (right) lands a sharp straight punch on Ian Garry. [UFC]

The dual-belt celebration drew a rebuke from former featherweight champion Max Holloway. Posting on social media, Holloway questioned why Makhachev was carrying two belts — asking whether he was simply trying to show off — and added: "You are a two-division champion, but not right now. You only defended one belt."

Makhachev fired back on social media without delay. "Two belts are not that heavy," he wrote, adding that Holloway "wouldn't know" — a dig at the fact that Holloway has never held titles in two divisions simultaneously.

Makhachev does not consider Holloway a serious contender at this point. Holloway has fought at welterweight only twice in the UFC, and his most recent bout — against Conor McGregor in July — ended when McGregor suffered an in-fight injury. Holloway's competitiveness at the weight class remains an open question.

Makhachev instead agreed that Prates is the most deserving next challenger. With Prates, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Michael Morales all mentioned as candidates, Makhachev said Rakhmonov "is not fighting right now," while Prates "keeps competing and staying active," making him the most qualified contender in his view.

On Morales, Makhachev said, "He's good, but I can't remember the last time he fought," effectively pushing him down the queue. Makhachev had said earlier this month that Morales should first fight another top contender to earn his shot. However, Morales — who served as the backup fighter for the Makhachev-Garry card — is not entirely inactive: he stopped Sean Brady by TKO in the first round at UFC 322 in November last year.


yjc@heraldcorp.com