Makhachev eyes welterweight title defense, says his UFC career may be nearing its end
Islam Makhachev, 34, will defend his welterweight championship at UFC 330 and warned that his time in the organization is limited, preferring to fight every three to four months.
Russia's Islam Makhachev is set to make his first welterweight title defense against Ireland's Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on Saturday. The 34-year-old, who debuted in the UFC in 2015 and has a record of 17 wins and one loss in the promotion, said he plans to fight less frequently as he approaches the later stage of his career.
"I'm not like a young guy. Now it's better for me to fight every three to four months," Makhachev told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson. "I understand I'm not 28 years old; I'm 34 right now. And I don't have much time. Sometimes it's not going like you want in the UFC. You want to fight after three or four months, but it's not according to your wish."
If he defeats Machado Garry at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, Makhachev would surpass Anderson Silva's record of 16 consecutive UFC wins, a streak that has stood for 13 years. The fighter moved up to welterweight after completing a fourth straight lightweight title defense last year and expressed a desire to compete more often despite the limited window he perceives.
Analysts have compared his achievements with those of teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov, noting that while Nurmagomedov retired undefeated, Makhachev has a broader striking arsenal and became a two-division champion by beating Jack Della Maddalena. UFC president Dana White recently remarked that Makhachev is on a trajectory to be considered one of the sport's greatest fighters.