Islam Makhachev Teases UFC Retirement, Wants the Best Contenders in His Potential Farewell Stretch

Photo Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Kshitiz Kumar SinghIslam Makhachev’s decision to pull out of negotiations for UFC 336 hasn’t gone down well with several fans. The reigning welterweight champion was initially expected to defend his title against Carlos Prates on the January 30 card, but plans changed after the Dagestani stepped away from the proposed matchup.Makhachev explained that the welterweight division had too many deserving contenders and felt Prates and Michael Morales should settle the No. 1 contender debate inside the Octagon. However, his decision didn’t sit well with either fighter or UFC CEO Dana White. The promotion has since booked Prates and Morales to fight for the interim welterweight championship in Toronto.Now, Makhachev has offered another interesting update about his future. The two-division champion has suggested that he doesn’t have too many fights left in his career and wants to spend that time facing the toughest available competition.Islam Makhachev Suggests His Fighting Days Could Be Numbered at 35Taking to X, Makhachev wrote, “My next fight is one of the last in my career.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.”Makhachev is coming off a successful first defense of his welterweight championship, having defeated Ian Garry via unanimous decision at UFC 330 in August. The victory also extended his UFC winning streak to 17 fights, setting a new promotional record. My next fight is one of the last in my career.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. https://t.co/bQSw97TzNe— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 30, 2026ALSO READ:UFC Vegas 123 Preview: Everything You Need to Know About the Halloween Fight Night CardThe Dagestani has already built an impressive resume across two weight classes. He is one of just 11 fighters to become a UFC double champion and among the select few to defend titles in two different divisions. He also currently sits at No. 1 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings and hasn’t lost a fight since 2015.Before moving up to welterweight, Makhachev established himself as one of the greatest lightweights in UFC history. He set a divisional record with four successful title defenses, beating the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano along the way.After dominating the 155-pound division, Makhachev vacated his lightweight championship to pursue a second belt. He achieved that goal at UFC 322, defeating Jack Della Maddalena via a dominant five-round decision in November 2025 to become the welterweight champion. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MMA Pros Pick (@mma.pros.pick)Interestingly, Makhachev had previously spoken about wanting to reach a 20-fight winning streak and made it clear that retirement wasn’t on his immediate agenda. However, his latest comments suggest that his plans may have changed. The shift also brings back memories of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s previous comments about his protégé’s age and the limited number of prime years he might have left.Makhachev recently turned 35, and Nurmagomedov has previously suggested that his teammate may have only a couple of good years remaining. ‘The Eagle’ himself retired at just 32 after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October 2020.MORE MMA NEWS:Paddy Pimblett Vows to Make One Major Change in a Potential Justin Gaethje Rematch Jean Silva Believes Even Alexander Volkanovski Would Crown Jose Aldo the UFC Featherweight GOATSean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov Reportedly Targeted for UFC 337 in February 2027