UFC chief Dana White condemned Irish fighter Ian Garry for hugging opponent Islam Makhachev during their welterweight title bout at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.
Makhachev, a 34-year-old Russian martial artist, earned a unanimous decision victory over Garry to complete the first defense of his welterweight championship title.
Judges at the Philadelphia event scored the five-round championship contest 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favour of the defending champion.
White Criticises Garry Performance
In remarks reported by Russian news agency TASS, White expressed frustration with Garry's tactical approach during the fight. The UFC chief said Garry was a talented fighter, but argued that if the Irishman possessed any killer instinct he would not have spent time hugging his opponent inside the octagon.
White added that the conduct was infuriating to watch. He expressed confidence that Garry would rewatch the fight film and seek a return to the promotion to rectify his performance.
Record-Breaking Streak in Philadelphia
The victory marked Makhachev's 17th consecutive win inside the UFC promotion, breaking the historic record previously held by Brazilian former middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
Makhachev also secured his seventh consecutive title fight victory. The result brought his overall professional MMA record to 29 victories and one defeat.
Before winning the welterweight belt, the Russian fighter had successfully defended his UFC lightweight title on four occasions.
Fighter Profiles and Division Context
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, hosting live events across the globe. Championship bouts are scheduled for five rounds, with three judges scoring each round on a ten-point scale if no knockout or submission occurs.
Makhachev moved up from the 155-pound lightweight category to compete in the 170-pound welterweight division, where he claimed his second divisional championship belt. Garry, representing Ireland, had risen through the UFC ranks as a welterweight contender prior to his title challenge in Philadelphia.
