Record-smashing Islam Makhachev anticipates ‘at least three more very difficult fights ahead’
With his hard-fought win over Ian Machado-Garry at UFC 330 (watch highlights here), Islam Makhachev broke Anderson Silva’s record for longest win streak. Anyone hoping to claim it will have to beat his 18 UFC victories in a row, and Makhachev plans on adding to that number before hanging up his gloves.
When that may happen is unclear, as Makhachev said he has no intention of retiring anytime soon … although he does seem to be questioning what great accomplishment comes next after the win streak record.
“No record is unbreakable,” he told Russian outlet Ushatayka. “There are fighters out there who are getting closer. There are already fighters breathing down my neck with 10 wins.
“I don’t really know [what will be the next] record for myself,” Makhachev added. “Maybe for title fights? But it’s a hard one to beat. I fought ten bouts before the title while the one who holds the record [Jon Jones] had the title in his third or fourth fight. So I don’t know what records will come next.
“I don’t know what other records there will be for me to chase,” he finished. “What I know is right now in my division, there are some very strong title contenders. Looking ahead, I think there will be at least three more exciting and very difficult fights in front of me.”
Committing to beating Jon Jones‘ record for most title bout wins would be a lot. That sits at 16 while Makhachev is just at 7. He could go for the most finishes in title fights, currently held by the aforementioned Silva at nine. Makhachev has four finishes in championship bouts at the moment, but hasn’t managed to secure a finish in his first two Welterweight title fights.
That’s Makhachev’s real challenge: continuing to succeed at this much more difficult weightclass. There’s no recognition for moving up to Welterweight after four Lightweight title defenses and managing to hold onto that 170-pound strap, but that s–t’s hard. Two-division champions don’t tend to maintain dominance in their second division. Amanda Nunes defended the women’s Featherweight title twice. Alex Pereira defended his Light Heavyweight title three times.
There may not be some snappy record to go with it, but Makhachev would definitely establish himself as the greatest two division champion ever with two more title defenses at Welterweight. As he mentioned, though, there are some very big, very mean men ready to make those wins very difficult to earn.