Rogan On Makhachev's Potential Retirement After UFC 330

Joe Rogan believes Islam Makhachev could retire immediately after defending his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 on Saturday.

The podcast host told former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling on the JRE MMA Show that Makhachev has accomplished enough across two weight classes to justify hanging up the gloves now. "If he beats Ian, if he submits Ian and says, 'I've had enough. I'm gonna do what Khabib did, and I'm gonna coach now,' I could see that," Rogan said, per Championship Rounds.

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What Makhachev Retirement Means For Welterweight Division

Makhachev captured the welterweight strap after already holding lightweight gold, with only a single loss on his record dating back to 2015. Rogan suggested that if the Dagestani champion follows mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov into coaching, a vacant title fight between rising contenders Michael Morales and Carlos Prates could follow.

Garry has vowed to stop Makhachev by knockout rather than flash finish. Prates predicted his frenemy will take the belt via decision instead. Whether Makhachev intends to walk away or continue his run will be answered after the UFC 330 main event concludes.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Joe Rogan thinks Islam Makhachev might retire once UFC 330 fight is over: “I could see that”