Islam Makhachev hints at retirement: 'My next fight is one of the last in my career'

Islam Makhachev has hinted that retirement is close. "My next fight is one of the last in my career," the UFC welterweight champion wrote on X on 30 October 2026, as reported by ARY News. He did not announce a retirement or a date.

Who he wants next

Makhachev, 29 wins from 30 professional fights, said he wants the winner of the interim welterweight title fight between Brazil's Carlos Prates and Ecuador's Michael Morales at UFC 336 on 30 January.

"They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me," he wrote. "So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in the world."

UFC president Dana White has said Makhachev was first expected to face Prates in January but pushed his return to after Ramadan, which points to a fight in the spring of 2027.

Where he stands

• Record: 29 wins, 1 loss.
• Last fight: beat Ian Machado Garry in August, his 17th straight UFC win.
• Titles: former lightweight champion, now the welterweight champion.

We covered Makhachev's earlier comments on the UFC 336 card here.

Watching from Pakistan

UFC 336 is scheduled for Friday 30 January in North America, which means the main card falls on the morning of Saturday 31 January in Pakistan. Exact start times in PKT, and every UFC card between now and then, are on our living UFC schedule in Pakistan time page.

Why it matters

Makhachev is one of the biggest names in the sport and a regular on Pakistani timelines on fight nights. This is the first time he has put a horizon on his own career. If the next fight is against the Prates and Morales winner, it will be his first welterweight title defence, and by his own words one of only a few fights he has left.