I do not have much time left in UFC - Makhachev

Islam Makhachev, widely considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, has stated that he has limited time left in the UFC. The 34-year-old Russian is set to defend his welterweight title against Ireland's Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Saturday. Makhachev, who made his debut in 2015, has won 17 of his 18 fights in the promotion and has eclipsed Anderson Silva's 16-fight winning streak in the UFC should he secure the victory.

Makhachev, who moved up in weight after winning his fourth lightweight title defence, aims to fight more frequently as he enters the later stages of his career. He acknowledged that he is not as young as he once was, stating, "I m not like young guy. Now it's better for me to fight every three to four months." While critics have questioned whether Makhachev's accomplishments surpass those of teammate and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 record, Makhachev is seen as more well-rounded and has never faced a defeat.

If Makhachev wins against Machado Garry, he will surpass McGregor's win total to become the most-decorated fighter in UFC history.