UFC champion Islam Makhachev says his next fight will be ‘one of last’

UFC champion Islam Makhachev has hinted at retirement, stating his next fight will likely be one of his final bouts. In August, Makhachev secured a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry, solidifying his status as a top MMA fighter. He extended Anderson Silva's 13-year record for the longest win streak in UFC history to 17 straight wins.

Makhachev now eyeing the winner of the upcoming match between Brazil's Carlos Prates and Ecuador's Michael Morales for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 in January. "My next fight is one of the last in my career," he stated on social media. "They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in world."

At 35, Makhachev has previously expressed concerns about his age and the need to fight more frequently. He told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson, "I’m not a young guy anymore. Now it’s better for me to fight every three to four months. I understand I’m not 28 years old; I’m 34 right now. And I don’t have much time." UFC president Dana White explained that an interim title bout at UFC 336 was necessary due to Makhachev's infrequent fighting schedule.

"On average, Islam fights like once a year," White said. "He was slated for January and then said, I don’t want to fight until after Ramadan, and you can’t hold up divisions like this. You got to keep moving, and this fight makes sense. No reason."