Makhachev hints at retirement, says mother's word will be final after UFC 336

Islam Makhachev has indicated his mother could ultimately decide when he walks away from MMA, drawing a direct parallel to the way his close friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov ended his own career in October 2020.

“My mother has always been against me fighting,” Makhachev told Red Corner MMA at the Sambo World Championship event in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. “I’ve always listened to my mother, so soon I will obey her word.”

Nurmagomedov retired after defeating Justin Gaethje to record his third straight lightweight title defence and finish 29-0, citing a promise to his mother following the death of his father, legendary coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Makhachev, now 35 years old and carrying a professional record of 29-1, appears to be following the same path.

The Dagestani champion recorded his first successful welterweight title defence by defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 this past August, and holds the record for the most consecutive successful title defences in the UFC lightweight division with four. He has won 17 straight fights since a loss to Adriano Martins in his second UFC appearance.

Despite the hints at an approaching end, Makhachev stopped short of naming a final fight. “There’s no number,” he said. “I am just reaching the finish line. There aren’t many things that could give me motivation in this sport. I’m at the finish line. I just want to fight the contenders, but I don’t see any new names.”

His next title defence will be determined by an interim lightweight bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales at UFC 336 in January, with the winner earning a shot at Makhachev. The champion has faced criticism for sitting out that contest rather than facing either challenger directly, but he defended the decision by framing it as a merit-based filter.

“It’s a good fight and I think both of them deserve a title shot,” Makhachev said. “That’s why I would like to see which of them is more deserving. We’ll find out in January.”

Asked which of the two poses the greater threat to his reign, Makhachev was dismissive. “They are both good. They are both punchers. Although, I wouldn’t say either of them is a threat for me. I am a bad matchup for them stylistically.”