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Makhachev Hints at Retirement After Next Fight

Updated 2:15 AM ET · 8:39 AM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Makhachev’s retirement hints come after UFC president Dana White revealed that Makhachev was initially expected to fight Prates in January but decided to delay his return until after Ramadan in March.

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has hinted that his next bout could be one of his last in his legendary career, saying, 'My next fight is one of the last in my career.'

Makhachev, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, has won 29 of his 30 professional fights. He is now eyeing a fight against the winner of the upcoming interim welterweight title fight between Brazil’s Carlos Prates and Ecuador’s Michael Morales at UFC 336, scheduled for January 30.

However, three months before the card, Makhachev told the UFC he won’t be able to compete due to undisclosed reasons, and Prates will now face Michael Morales in an interim title fight.

Makhachev’s pivot on fighting at UFC 336 infuriated UFC CEO Dana White, as the UFC head man pressed that the division must move forward.

Makhachev’s explanation is that the contenders should sort out the queue themselves, and his next appearance is anticipated in the second quarter of 2027.

Makhachev’s mother and his mentor and close friend, Khabib Nurmagomedov, do not want him to continue fighting for a longer period.

Makhachev has repeatedly pushed back against suggestions that he is avoiding dangerous challengers, and his latest post on X foreshadowed his eventual retirement.

At 34 years old, Makhachev is definitely closer to the end of his career than he is to the beginning, having dominated the UFC’s lightweight division before taking his talents to welterweight.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has hinted that his legendary career is nearing an end, saying that his next bout could be ‘one of the last’.
• “My next fight is one of the last in my career,” Makhachev said.

What's still developing

• UFC president Dana White revealed that Makhachev was initially expected to fight Prates in January but decided to delay his return until after Ramadan in March.
• But after pulling out of UFC 336, Makhachev’s retirement could come faster than originally anticipated.
• One of the biggest 'what if' fights in UFC history nearly took place between… Read more Curtis Calhoun - October 30, 2026 // 0 Comments UFC welterweight contender Gabriel Bonfim broke his social media silence after Sean Brady abruptly withdrew from their main-event fight.
• Makhachev also had a response for those calling for him to be stripped of the title after he refused to face top contender Carlos Prates at UFC 336.
• Islam Makhachev is expected to return after Ramadan 2027 for his last dance and, by law, will face the soon-to-be crowned interim 170-pound titleholder to unify the belts.
• The news comes as a surprise because ahead of UFC 330, before Islam Makhachev defeated Ian Machado Garry, the Russian phenom and his coach, Javier Mendez, had said that he had no plans to retire anytime soon.
• The statement adds another layer to the ongoing dispute, particularly as Makhachev previously discussed fighting three more times to reach a 20-fight winning streak.
• Islam Makhachev has suggested that his time inside the Octagon could be approaching its final chapter as he continues to defend his decision not to compete in January.
• The promotion subsequently booked Prates against undefeated contender Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title, leaving Makhachev expected to return later in 2027.
• With that, Makhachev etched his ⁠⁠name in the UFC record books, extending his winning streak to 17 consecutive fights and surpassing UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva’s historic 16-fight mark set from 2006 to 2013.
• Makhachev (29 wins, one loss) successfully defended his UFC welterweight championship belt in August, defeating ‌‌Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• “On average, Islam fights like once a year,” White said at a media conference.

Sources

• A Sportslink
• BJPenn.comlink
• LowKickMMA.comlink
• MMA Suckalink
• MMANews.comlink
• Sportscape Magazinelink
• Al Jazeeralink
• WarpBeat — background on Makhachev Hints at Retirement After Next Fight link
• WarpBeat — background on Islam Makhachev says his next fight will be 'one of the last' in his UFC career link
• Michael Bisping — video link