Mackenzie Dern defended her 115-pound championship successfully at UFC 330. She achieved a unanimous decision victory over Gillian Robertson in her first title defense. Dern, who previously won the vacant strawweight belt at UFC 321, secured scores of 49-46 on two scorecards and 48-47 on the third.
“I wanted to get the submission with Gillian,” Dern stated. “That was the goal.” In the bout’s opening round, Dern nearly forced Robertson to tap out with a choke hold. Although close to ending the fight, the bell saved Robertson.
The following rounds were less eventful, with the bout slowing as both fighters engaged mostly on the canvas. Dern’s 7-year-old daughter cheered loudly from the front row, outshouting the crowd, though boos emerged by the fifth round.
Attention then turned to the main event, where Islam Makhachev aimed to set a UFC record for consecutive wins. Makhachev tied with Anderson Silva at 16 victories and sought his 17th against Ian Machado Garry. Makhachev (28-1) has been unbeaten since UFC 192 in 2015 and won the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in 2025.
The event also marked Edson Barboza’s retirement. After a lightweight loss to Esteben Ribovics, Barboza, 40, left his gloves in the ring. He concluded an MMA career that began in 2009, receiving multiple Fight of the Night honors. Overcome with emotion, Barboza received a standing ovation from the Philadelphia crowd.
UFC held its third numbered card in Philadelphia, its first event in the city since 2019. The city’s fight fans were eager for action, filling the arena enthusiastically. The night’s opening bout saw local fighter Jeremiah Wells, initially booed, win over the crowd with a submission victory.
Tresean Gore emerged victorious in his middleweight fight against Vecente Luque, despite losing several bottom front teeth during the match. Gore’s lower lip showed bloody results after a flying knee to his mouth.
Charles Johnson delighted fans as he led a sing-along of “Fly, Eagles. Fly” following his submission victory, leaving the cage to an ovation.
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