UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has revealed he plans to take at least three more fights before retiring from mixed martial arts, according to comments made to reporters in Dagestan following his win at UFC 330. At age 34, the pound-for-pound leader holds a 29-1 professional record, including an 18-1 mark inside the Octagon, and recently secured the longest winning streak in promotional history with 17 victories.
Makhachev’s Retirement Timeline and Career Outlook
Speculation regarding Makhachev’s eventual retirement often surfaces due to comparisons with his friend and teammate, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who walked away from the sport undefeated at 32 years old. However, speaking to reporters after his unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, Makhachev confirmed he is not ready to hang up his gloves just yet, according to MMAFighting.com.
“Well, I wouldn’t call the win streak record unbreakable by any means,” Makhachev said, according to MMAFighting.com. “There are fighters out there, not exactly breathing down my neck, but there are those that already have 10 wins in a row. I don’t know, maybe the title fights record? Though the record for title fights is quite large. I fought 10 bouts before getting the title, while the record holder fought for the title in his third or fourth fight. So I don’t know what records will come next, but in my weight class I have some very good title contenders. I think I have at least three more spectacular and very tough fights for me.”
Makhachev sits at 7-0 in UFC title fights and remains active as a double champion who previously held the lightweight belt.
Did you know? Islam Makhachev surpassed Anderson Silva’s longstanding promotional record of 16 victories by capturing his 17th straight win at UFC 330.
Potential Next Opponents in the Welterweight Division
With a minimum of three bouts remaining on his timeline, Makhachev faces a crowded division of elite contenders. According to Heavy, Carlos Prates is the frontrunner to secure the next welterweight title shot, with a matchup targeted for late this year or early next year, though the UFC has not yet made an official announcement.
Additional challengers waiting in the division include Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov, the latter of whom has been sidelined for nearly two years due to injuries, as reported by Heavy. Gabriel Bonfim was also identified as a rising contender who could be one win away from his shot. Makhachev wants to fight again before next Ramadan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fights does Islam Makhachev have left?
According to comments made by Islam Makhachev to reporters, he plans to take at least three more fights before retiring from the UFC.
What is Islam Makhachev’s professional MMA record?
Islam Makhachev holds a 29-1 professional MMA record, including an 18-1 record in the UFC and a promotional-record 17-fight win streak.
Who is expected to fight Makhachev next?
Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are among the top contenders positioned for the next welterweight title opportunity.
What are your thoughts on Makhachev’s remaining career? Drop a comment below, share this article with fellow MMA fans, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest combat sports updates.
Worth a look