UFC champion Makhachev confirms retirement plans
Islam Makhachev says his next fight will be among the final bouts of his career, while he remains determined to defend his UFC welterweight title and prove he is the world’s best. The 35-year-old Russian wants to face the winner of the interim title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.
Makhachev beat Ian Machado Garry in August, extending his UFC winning streak to 17 and surpassing Anderson Silva’s record. He has won 29 of 30 professional fights and previously held the lightweight title. Prates and Morales are scheduled to meet at UFC 336 on 30 January; Makhachev delayed his own title defence until after Ramadan in March, prompting UFC president Dana White to arrange the interim bout.
In short
- Makhachev says his next fight may be one of his last.
- He wants to face the interim title fight winner.
- His 17-fight UFC streak is a promotion record.
Explained simply
The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is a major organisation for mixed martial arts, a sport that combines techniques such as boxing and wrestling. Fighters compete in weight divisions, and the welterweight champion is the division’s title-holder.
Islam Makhachev is a Russian fighter who previously held the UFC lightweight title and now holds the welterweight title. A champion can defend a title against a challenger, while an interim champion may be named when the title-holder is unavailable; Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are due to fight for that interim status.
Makhachev’s record and long winning run place him among the most successful UFC fighters. His plans matter to the division because his next title defence will affect who gets a chance to compete for the championship.