Islam Makhachev has set a new record for the longest winning streak in UFC history by defeating Ian Machado Garry to retain his welterweight title at UFC 330.
The defending champion secured a dominant victory on Saturday to successfully retain his 170-pound crown for the first time.
His latest triumph breaks the all-time consecutive wins record and cements his status among the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial arts.
Despite stepping up from the lightweight division, the Russian star continues to suffocate opponents with relentless grappling pressure.
A challenging path at welterweight
Makhachev previously captured the welterweight championship with a decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena last November.
He is noticeably smaller than traditional contenders in his new weight class, making his sustained success even more remarkable.
The divisional transition has seen a drop in his stoppage rate, having recorded finishes in eight of his final nine bouts at 155 pounds.
He has yet to secure a finish across his two welterweight appearances.
However, shutting down naturally larger opponents like Garry demonstrates a different, arguably more impressive, type of dominance.
Dern retains strawweight crown
Elsewhere on the UFC 330 card, Mackenzie Dern delivered an equally impressive co-main event performance.
The grappling specialist secured a unanimous decision victory over Gillian Robertson to successfully defend her strawweight championship.
Dern continues to show noticeable improvements in her all-round striking and wrestling game with each octagon appearance.
Her continued evolution inevitably sets up a highly anticipated future clash with Chinese superstar Zhang Weili.
Claressa Shields has reclaimed the WBC and WBA middleweight titles by securing a dominant sixth-round TKO victory over Kaye Scott at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday night.
The undefeated fighter, who is also the current undisputed women’s heavyweight champion, dropped down three weight classes for the championship bout.
Fighting at 160 pounds for the first time since 2023, the world’s top-ranked pound-for-pound boxer looked exceptionally sharp throughout the contest.
Dramatic weight cut pays off
She revealed after the victory that returning to the middleweight limit required shedding an astonishing 38 pounds during her preparation.
“This was a really hard camp. I cut 38 pounds. I was at 198 pounds and got down to 160. This is the most disciplined I’ve been since the Olympics, I feel like.” Claressa Shields
Despite facing a resolute opponent in the 42-year-old defending champion, the challenger’s superior power and accuracy quickly dictated the pace.
Scott showed immense bravery by standing her ground and attempting to trade blows with the athlete widely known as “The GWOAT”.
Corner steps in after sixth-round onslaught
However, the titleholder sustained a significant welt on her forehead as early as the second round of her first title defence.
The decisive moment arrived in the sixth round when a ferocious left hook from the 19-0 star forced her opponent to take a standing count.
Sensing the end was near, the former undisputed 160-pound ruler unleashed a final barrage that prompted the opposing corner to throw in the towel.
The referee officially halted the contest at one minute and 38 seconds of the sixth round to crown a new champion.
Tactical approach secures historic status
“I was actually just trying to figure her out. She was stronger than what I thought.” Claressa Shields
“I knew that when we cut the weight that I cut that I didn’t want to exert too much early, so I was trying to make sure that I could get with her strength and not get caught with nothing crazy.” Claressa Shields
This victory adds another chapter to a remarkable career for the only woman to become an undisputed champion across three different weight classes.
Her recent heavyweight campaign included a unanimous decision victory over Franchon Crews-Dezurn in February, further highlighting her extraordinary versatility in the ring.
WNBA icons Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne were enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on Saturday night.
The star-studded 2026 induction class strongly highlighted women’s basketball, celebrating multiple multi-time most valuable players alongside legendary Olympic teams.
Joining the groundbreaking duo were prominent figures from the men’s game, including coaching veterans Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni.
Former Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire, long-time official Joey Crawford and Gonzaga head coach Mark Few also received basketball’s highest honour.
A love letter to the sport
During an emotional ceremony, Parker brought a basketball to the podium to symbolise her lifelong connection to the game.
The three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist reflected on a decorated career that began with dominance at the University of Tennessee.
“It felt weird to walk on the stage without the reason I’m here today,” Parker said to the crowd.
The 38-year-old broke down in tears while closing her speech, describing her 27-year journey on the court as a destined love story.
Fellow inductee Delle Donne echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on the profound highs and challenging physical lows of her own professional career.
The historic 50-40-90 club member credited her enduring perspective on life to her older sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf.
“She never played in front of thousands of people, never had a standing ovation, never been interviewed after a big win. Yet I’ve never met anyone stronger,” Delle Donne said.
Coaching greatness and collegiate legends
Rivers, who sits sixth on the all-time NBA coaching wins list with 1,194 victories, paid a tearful tribute to his inspiring brother Grady.
The ceremony also recognised the dominant 1996 United States Olympic women’s team, alongside former collegiate standout Chamique Holdsclaw.
The former college superstar anchored a pioneering Tennessee roster that secured three consecutive national titles between 1996 and 1998.
Holdsclaw used her time on stage to honour the late Pat Summitt, who guided that historic 1998 squad to an unprecedented undefeated 39-0 season.
“The one and only coach Summitt allowed me to grow as a player and person. I miss her dearly,” Holdsclaw said.
Novak Djokovic has suffered a shock second-round exit at the Cincinnati Open after battling severe heat in a three-set defeat by Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was beaten 2-6 6-4 6-4 in his first competitive appearance since a semi-final loss at Wimbledon.
He visibly struggled with the oppressive humidity in Ohio and appeared to vomit during the gruelling encounter.
The former world number one even dropped to his hands and knees during a physically sapping contest that lasted two hours and 45 minutes.
Gruelling conditions take their toll
The Serbian veteran secured the opening set comfortably but began to physically fade as the match progressed.
He was forced to call for a medical timeout after surviving an exhausting 18-minute hold of serve in the second set.
Tirante eventually secured the decisive break at 4-4 in the deciding set before serving out the biggest victory of his career.
This is the best win of my career. I really did a good job inside the court.
The Argentine now faces Spain’s Martin Landaluce in the third round.
I managed very well the nerves of playing against a legend like Novak. Now I feel relieved.
Boulter exits women’s draw
In the women’s tournament, British number two Katie Boulter was eliminated following a straight-sets defeat to Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
The Czech player hit 10 aces and broke serve four times to secure a routine 6-3 6-3 victory.
Boulter had previously ended a five-match losing streak on the WTA Tour with an opening-round win against America’s Katie Volynets.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie Joshua Baez has become the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats during an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
The 23-year-old outfielder was called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day and immediately made an unprecedented impact at Wrigley Field.
He drove the very first pitch he faced deep into the left-centre field bleachers for a two-run shot.
That 449-foot strike ranks as the third-longest home run in a player’s debut since distance tracking began in 2006, sitting only behind Aaron Judge and Jason Heyward.
A history-making arrival
The highly rated prospect then sent a full-count pitch down the left-field line in the fourth inning to restore his team’s advantage.
In the sixth, the young slugger completed his historic treble with an opposite-field blast.
All three of his monumental hits were struck against Chicago starter Matthew Boyd, who ultimately conceded seven runs across five and a third innings.
Prior to this weekend, no player had ever homered three times in their inaugural major league appearance.
Carrying minor league form to the majors
This sensational performance is not an isolated incident for the power-hitting outfielder this season.
He currently leads the entire Triple-A circuit with 34 home runs, a tally bolstered by a remarkable four-homer game in June.
Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson also contributed solo efforts to ensure the visitors bounced back from a series-opening defeat.
Michael Conforto had temporarily tied the game for the hosts with a three-run homer in the second inning, but the Cubs could not contain St. Louis’ explosive new arrival.
New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has identified Ruben Dias as the leading candidate for the club captaincy over Erling Haaland ahead of the upcoming season.
The defensive stalwart is in pole position for the armband because his Norwegian team-mate simply scores too many goals.
Maresca prefers to use the moments after his side finds the net to call his skipper to the touchline for immediate tactical adjustments.
That specific requirement counts against the prolific striker, who registered 38 goals last term and boasts an incredible 162 strikes in four years at the Etihad Stadium.
Leadership expectations and departures
The reigning champions are actively searching for a new on-pitch leader following Bernardo Silva’s high-profile departure to Real Madrid.
“Because if he scores he can’t celebrate, yes,” Maresca explained regarding Haaland’s unsuitability for the demanding role.
“Ruben has shown during his time at this club how he is as a player, in terms of leadership,” he added.
“It’s important for the captain and the leader to know that the reason they are captain is because I expect more from them.”
Rebuilding the senior hierarchy
Spain international Rodri was part of the four-man senior group last season, but the World Cup winner’s future remains uncertain amid twin transfer bids from Barcelona.
“At the moment, Ruben and Erling are the only two, but I want to wait until the end of the window and then pick two more,” Maresca stated.
Potential candidates to join the player hierarchy include longest-serving academy graduate Phil Foden, Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma, former Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi, and veteran midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
New arrivals and tactical shifts
The Italian head coach will face his first competitive test on Sunday when his squad meets Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Supporters could witness a debut for Elliot Anderson following the England international’s club-record £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest.
Should a vacancy arise in central midfield, the big-money signing is viewed as a direct replacement operating in front of the defensive line.
“He’s a holding midfielder, but he can also be an attacking midfielder,” Maresca noted.
“The good thing about Elliot is that he is young so you can work with him and help him to improve as a number six or an eight arriving in the box.”
Aston Villa have opened negotiations to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, potentially paving the way for Emiliano Martinez to join Juventus this summer.
The 23-year-old Japan international has become a primary target for the Midlands club following the collapse of his proposed move to Paris St-Germain.
This unexpected development has significantly boosted Juventus in their ongoing pursuit of Martinez.
The experienced Argentine stopper has been a cornerstone of Villa’s recent success, but the 33-year-old could now be tempted by a fresh challenge in Serie A.
Arsenal and Chelsea set striker valuations
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal have been informed they must bid over £60m to secure Galatasaray loanee Victor Osimhen.
The 27-year-old Nigerian forward remains one of Europe’s most prolific and sought-after attackers.
Across London, Chelsea have placed a matching £60m valuation on Nicolas Jackson.
Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid are all reportedly monitoring the Senegal international’s situation closely.
Manchester City plot sweeping midfield changes
Barcelona are growing confident that a third bid of £59.8m will be enough to lure Rodri away from the Etihad Stadium.
Losing the influential Spain midfielder would represent a major structural blow to Pep Guardiola’s setup.
However, City are already looking to the future and are in active negotiations for Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The French club are demanding an astronomical fee of at least £85m for the highly-rated 18-year-old Moroccan.
Premier League rivals target Liverpool and Bayern stars
Newcastle United have reignited their interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.
The Magpies face stiff competition from Aston Villa and Benfica for the 31-year-old Portuguese enforcer.
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo has reportedly informed the Liverpool hierarchy of his desire to secure a transfer to Tottenham.
In a related Anfield exit, Inter Milan are preparing to sell Brazilian winger Luis Henrique to fund a £34m swoop for Reds midfielder Curtis Jones.
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala collapsed on the pitch due to extreme heat during a Telekom Cup match against RB Leipzig, prompting rapid medical intervention.
The 23-year-old had just scored his team’s third goal at the Allianz Arena when he became visibly unsteady on his feet.
With temperatures exceeding 30C in Munich, the German international crumpled to the ground shortly after play resumed.
Saibari praised for rapid response
Ismael Saibari, who provided the assist for the recent strike, sprinted over to cushion his falling teammate.
Medics immediately rushed onto the turf to administer treatment while concerned colleagues formed a protective circle.
The Moroccan midfielder’s quick actions drew widespread praise from supporters online.
The swift intervention carried significant emotional weight, as the 23-year-old wears the number 34 shirt in honour of Abdelhak Nouri.
Nouri tragically suffered permanent brain damage after collapsing during an Ajax match in 2017.
“The poor guy probably got mild flashbacks right away… A real stand-up guy.”
Another supporter simply branded the quick-thinking professional as a “real teammate”.
Fresh injury fears for German star
Medical staff eventually gave a positive signal before the young playmaker was helped off the field to a standing ovation.
This frightening incident raises fresh concerns regarding the physical condition of the highly-rated attacker.
He is still actively working his way back to full fitness following a devastating leg break sustained against Paris St-Germain last year.
That severe setback previously kept the talented forward sidelined for over six months.
Bavarian giants secure pre-season trophy
Despite the distressing scenes, the hosts ultimately secured the pre-season trophy with a 3-1 victory over their domestic rivals.
Luis Diaz opened the scoring early on before Brighton loanee Brajan Gruda equalised for the visitors.
Late efforts from Nathaniel Brown and the subsequently withdrawn goalscorer ensured a successful afternoon for the German champions.