Islam Makhachev Hints At Retirement After Final Title Defense
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has stated that his upcoming match will be among his final professional bouts. The Russian fighter announced this plan on social media on Friday, October 30, 2026. He intends to face the winner of the interim title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. This upcoming match is scheduled for January 30, 2027, in Toronto, Canada.
Makhachev is 35 years old with a 29-1 record. He has won the lightweight and welterweight titles. His decision to delay a fight until after Ramadan has sparked debate about whether he should be stripped of his belt. Former fighters and fans are weighing in on whether the champion has earned the right to choose his opponents.
A Champion Steps Back
Makhachev made his position clear in a post on X. Makhachev wrote, “My next fight is one of the last in my career,” according to Bloody Elbow. This statement suggests he is not retiring immediately but is looking toward the end of his run. He wants to finish strong against top contenders.
There is a specific reason for his choice of opponents. He believes some challengers are too dangerous while others are simply too skilled. He wants to prove his worth against the best available fighters. “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 said, according to BJPenn.com.
He continues to compete in the sport. He is picking the final battles carefully. The UFC moved quickly to set up an interim title fight while the champion takes a break. This shows the organization wants the division to keep moving forward even if the champ is not ready.
The Road to Toronto
The interim title fight between Prates and Morales is set for late January. Carlos Prates has won his last three fights by knockout. He has beaten former champions like Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena. Michael Morales has not lost a professional fight. He is 19-0 and has finished Sean Brady and Gilbert Burns. Their winner will hold the interim belt until Makhachev returns.
Makhachev plans to return to action after Ramadan. This holy month ends in March 2027. His next appearance is expected in the second quarter of the year. This timeline has caused frustration for some fans and UFC CEO Dana White. White accused Makhachev of “holding up the division” by waiting.
He recently beat Ian Machado Garry. Garry had beaten Prates earlier. Makhachev told pound4padel that facing Prates would skip Morales. “They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to [Ian Machado Garry], who I beat,” Makhachev told pound4padel, according to LowKick MMA. “If I beat him, Morales would already be next in line, not fighting and waiting. Just let them fight and we will figure out who is the real challenger.”
It lets the contenders sort out who deserves the shot. It also gives Makhachev time to prepare for a final run. The UFC 336 event in Toronto will decide the interim champion. The main event will determine who gets the title shot.
Debate Over Stripping the Belt
Fans have been arguing about whether Makhachev should lose his title. Some believe a champion must defend the belt regularly. Others say he has earned the right to rest. The UFC has not stripped him. They chose to book an interim fight instead.
Former UFC fighter Matt Brown supports Makhachev. He has fought 30 times in the UFC. Brown told MMA Fighting that the champion has done enough to earn this break. “He is in position being that he’s done such great things, I feel like he’s earned that right,” Brown said. He added that he would not call it picking and choosing opponents.
Brown also noted that the UFC needs better rules for delays. The current system allows a champion to hold the belt while waiting. This creates uncertainty for the fans and the other fighters. The interim title helps keep the division active while the champ rests.
Some fans feel the champion is avoiding a tough fight. They say he is scared of Prates or Morales. Prates has a knockout streak. Morales is unbeaten. Makhachev’s record is 29-1. He has faced top competition before. His delay is likely about timing and health, not fear.
A Legacy in the Making
Makhachev’s career has been impressive. He broke the record for lightweight title defenses. He then moved up to welterweight. Cain Velasquez, a former heavyweight champion, spoke about Makhachev’s skill. Velasquez said he sparred with Makhachev when he first came to America. “Islam is so skilled in the game, f—ing good everywhere,” Velasquez said on the Shawn Ryan Show.
He noted that Makhachev hit him with strikes that no one else could land. “When he was coming up, I’d spar with him. Like, light sparring, and he’d hit me with stuff – and nobody hits me with stuff. But he hit me with stuff and I’d be like, ‘what the f—? Where did that come from?’ So I’m like, ‘this guy is good’,” Velasquez said. A heavyweight legend praised Makhachev.
Earlier this year, he said he wanted three more fights to reach a 20-fight win streak. This would make his record hard to beat. His plan to fight the winner of Prates vs. Morales fits this goal.