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The UFC returned to Philadelphia on Saturday night for its third numbered event in the city, with Mackenzie Dern retaining her strawweight championship in a unanimous decision over Gillian Robertson. Judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Dern, who claimed her first title defense following her vacant belt victory at UFC 321.
Dern came closest to ending the fight in the opening round, nearly forcing Robertson to submit via choke hold as her challenger’s face turned crimson. The match deteriorated significantly over the final four rounds, with minimal striking and prolonged grappling exchanges that drew boos from the crowd by the fifth round. Dern’s seven-year-old daughter offered encouragement from her front-row seat throughout the lackluster contest.
In the main event, welterweight champion Islam Makhachev sought to establish a new UFC record for consecutive victories. With a win over Ian Machado Garry, Makhachev would reach 17 straight wins, surpassing the mark of 16 held by Hall of Famer Anderson Silva. Makhachev has remained undefeated since 2015 and captured his welterweight title in his first attempt last November against Jack Della Maddalena.
Veteran lightweight Edson Barboza, 40, announced his retirement following a loss to Esteben Ribovics on the main card. The Philadelphia crowd awarded the retiring fighter a standing ovation as he laid down his gloves after a career spanning since 2009, which included multiple Fight of the Night honors during his tenure with the UFC.
Local fighter Jeremiah Wells won his bout via submission despite a hostile crowd reaction during his walkout, eventually earning the fans’ respect. Middleweight Tresean Gore captured a unanimous decision over Vecente Luque but lost several teeth to a flying knee strike, while submission victor Charles Johnson led the arena in a rendition of the Eagles’ fight song.
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