Makhachev Could Retire In Two Years – ‘He’ll Do What Khabib Did’

December 17, 2024
2 months
Makhachev Could Retire In Two Years - 'He'll Do What Khabib Did'

Javier Mendez, the coach of UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, says the Russian could retire in the next two years. 

Makhachev is considered one of the best P4P fighters in the world. He won the lightweight title after beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in 2022. Since then, he has made three successful defenses of the belt, beating Dustin Poirier in his previous fight at UFC 302. That took his UFC record to 16-1. His only loss came in 2015 when Adriano Martins knocked him out in the first round at UFC 192. Islam’s next fight is against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18. They will rematch after Islam won the first clash in 2019.

He will likely have Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner again, just like he did for the Dustin fight. Khabib left the sport after beating Justin Gaethje, which extended his undefeated record to 29-0. Khabib left in his prime. But he did so after making a promise to his mother that he would not fight again after his father’s passing. Mendez recalled how Khabib retired on top, something which Islam could do. Islam is 33 years old. Mendez felt it was only a matter of time before he retired. 

Makhachev’s Future

“He’s going to probably do what Khabib [Nurmagomedov] did and retire at 35. Well, Khabib did it a lot earlier, but I think 35 is the magic number for these guys. They have that in their head, that 35 is the cutoff point. Some will go over, but I think Islam is already set financially, he’s done really well with his money, so I think it will probably be lights out after 35,” Mendez said

But before that happens, he will want a belt in another weight class. He spoke about this previously when Leon Edwards was the welterweight champion. Edwards lost his belt to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, which scuppered Islam’s plans. Islam and Belal are on good terms, meaning a fight is more difficult to make. But Makhachev has dismissed facing UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria.

Makhachev Vs. Topuria

That makes a Belal fight more likely. Makhachev said he was not interested in giving smaller fighters another chance. He has already beaten Alexander Volkanovski twice, meaning Ilia would face a tough task moving up, too. Mendez also made that point very clear, as the focus is on trying to become a two-weight world champion. That would put Islam in the conversation for one of the best fighters ever. 

“The guy is a great fighter. He’s got the best boxing hands in the business, I feel, most technical. He can do a lot of damage if he goes up in weight, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m not interested in that fight whatsoever, at the present time. I’m interested in [Islam] defending against Arman, and then who knows, maybe the welterweight title is available at that particular time,” Mendez added 

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