Makhachev Says His Next Fight Is "One of the Last"

Islam Makhachev has put the end of his UFC career on the table. The welterweight champion wrote on X on Friday, October 30, that his next fight will be "one of the last" in his career.

It is a hint, not a farewell announcement. He gave no retirement date and no exact number of fights remaining.

"My next fight is one of the last in my career," Makhachev wrote. "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."

A queue he wants the contenders to sort out

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are booked to fight for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto. Makhachev is expected to meet the winner. He is due back after Ramadan, with his next appearance anticipated in the second quarter of 2027.

The plan has caused friction. UFC CEO Dana White said Makhachev had been lined up to defend his belt in January but chose to wait until after Ramadan. White accused him of "holding up the division," and the promotion went ahead with the interim bout.

Makhachev has his own reading. He told pound4padel the contenders should settle the order among themselves. "They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to [Ian Machado Garry], who I beat," he said. "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."

The two names in his message

Prates has won his past three fights by knockout. Morales is unbeaten through 19 professional bouts.

Makhachev is 35 and holds a 29-1 professional record. He won the lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira in October 2022. He took the welterweight belt from Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025. His August defense against Garry stretched his UFC winning streak to 17 and broke Anderson Silva's record.

Source: LowKickMMA.com