Islam Makhachev was on hand in Budapest to watch his team PSG defeat Arsenal in the Champions League Final … and following that victory, it’s time to concentrate on his next victory in the cage.
Makhachev hasn’t fought since blanking Jack Della Maddalena on the scorecards to take the welterweight title back in November 2025, and he still isn’t officially scheduled to fight again yet. Rumors have the Dagestani champion fighting Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15th, and while Islam wouldn’t confirm
anything he did suggest that was the case.
“Right after here I’m going to the camp,” he told TNT Sports. “I don’t know [when]. August, I will be ready. A lot of contenders, but number one is the young [Ian] Garry. And we still have a couple more who want to take the belt, but I don’t give [to] no one.”
We may not get confirmation for Islam’s next fight until the UFC White House event in two weeks. The UFC has been extremely slow to announce fights lately and just made July’s Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway fight at UFC 329 official a week ago. That’s an interesting fight that’s happening at welterweight, and despite the enmity between Islam and Conor, Makhachev was polite regarding that bout.
“Yeah, it’s good. It’s good. Big name for our sport,” he said of McGregor’s return. “But he have tough opponent. Max Holloway against Conor McGregor. I think Max can beat him.”
A McGregor win would propel “The Notorious” right back into serious contender discussion, not like Makhachev has any shortage of potential opponents. There’s Ian Machado Garry next (probably), and Ilia Topuria also angling to move up from lightweight to become the first three division champ.
“Topuria is a new generation,” Makhachev said of the upcoming Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje fight at the White House. “But Gaethje — I still believe Gaethje can do some things, but he’s a little bit old right now. He’s a good fighter, legend. He showed us very good, many many fights. But now I think is the Topuria time for lightweight.”
Makhachev didn’t call anyone out or make any demands in this interview. He seems perfectly content to wait and see what the UFC works out for him now that he’s successfully achieved double-champ status himself and no longer has to starve his way through training camps.
As Islam said, no matter who wants to try, he’s not giving up that welterweight strap.
