UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has confirmed his retirement plans, saying his next fight will be “one of the last” of his career. The 35-year-old Russian revealed the timeline as he targets a final showdown with the winner of Carlos Prates vs Michael Morales at UFC 336 on January 30.
Islam Makhachev (Credits: BBC Sport)
Islam Makhachev Confirms Retirement Plans
“My next fight is one of the last in my career,” Makhachev said. “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 cemented his place among the all-time greats in August when he beat Ian Machado Garry to defend the welterweight title — his 17th-straight UFC victory, breaking Anderson Silva’s 13-year record for the longest win streak in UFC history. The former lightweight champion has now won 29 of his 30 professional fights.
UFC 336: Prates vs Morales for Interim Gold
The path to Makhachev’s farewell run goes through the interim welterweight title fight between Brazil’s Carlos Prates, 33 — winner of his last three by knockout — and Ecuador’s unbeaten Michael Morales, 27, who has won all 19 of his professional fights.
UFC president Dana White revealed Makhachev was originally scheduled to face Prates in January, but opted to delay his return until after Ramadan in March. White added he felt Makhachev was “holding up the division”, which is why the UFC created the interim bout between Prates and Morales. Makhachev later said the fight will determine “the true worthy contender.”
In August, White said Makhachev was “on the right path” to being regarded as the greatest fighter in UFC history. If his next defence is truly one of his last, the sport may be watching the closing chapters of a legendary run.
Makhachev’s rise from lightweight king to welterweight champion has been one of the defining arcs of modern MMA. After clearing out the 155lb division, he moved up in weight and immediately made history, and White’s public praise in August — calling him on course to be the promotion’s greatest ever — signalled just how close he is to an undisputed legacy claim before he hangs up the gloves.
Also Read: Islam Makhachev Says His Next UFC Fight Will Be His Last After Record 17-Fight Win Streak | WWE Crown Jewel Moved to New Venue in Riyadh
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
