Islam Makhachev has no plans to retire soon, but would do so if Khabib Nurmagomedov told him to.
Makhachev is the most decorated lightweight champion in UFC history, with four successful title defenses
to his name. Earlier this year, he vacated his title to move up and challenge for the welterweight title, which happens this Saturday when he faces off with Jack Della Maddelena in the main event of UFC 322 in New York.
It’s the culmination of a plan set in motion by his former coach and Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who intended for Makhachev to serve as the successor to his son. Makhachev was Khabib’s primary training partner during his lightweight run, but after Abdulmanap’s passing, Khabib retired from competition and took a more prominent role as coach for Makhachev. Growing up together, the two are very close, with Khabib previously stating that he may have been happier for Makhachev’s title win than his own, so Makhachev says that if Khabib determines it’s time to follow him into retirement, he will go.
“Khabib is like my older brother,” Makhachev told the WEIGHING IN podcast. “… If he told me, for example, ‘Hey, you have to stop tomorrow. No more fighting.’ I will listen. He’s the guy in our gym who takes care of us, who controls us, who always wishes us the best. He knows how to do this. He knows how to make champions, not in the gym, in life. He did everything for me.” Sometimes I just don’t have to ask him.”
Should he win on Saturday, retirement might make sense. Makhachev would be only the 11th two-division champion in UFC history, and at 34 years old, there wouldn’t be much left for the future Hall of Famer to accomplish. But unless Khabib tells him to, Makhachev has no plans of doing so, outlining how he sees 2026 going for him.
“185, I’m going to be fat,” Makhachev said when asked about moving up yet again. “It’s going to be hard to be my weight. It’s not going to be my weight. I’m going to be too big.
“For 2026, I want to fight at [the] White House,” Makhachev continued. “This is history. Madison Square Garden, White House, people are going to remember the White House [card]. And end of the year, maybe Abu Dhabi, because the people also miss me. How many years I’m not fighting there?”
As for who he will fight against, Makhachev doesn’t seem to care too much. The MMA world has been clamoring for a matchup with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria that was upended when Makhachev moved up to 170. And while Islam isn’t sure he can ever return to 155, he’s open to all comers once he wins the welterweight strap.
“Let’s see after the fight how I’m going to feel, how much is going to be my weight,” Makhachev said. “To 155, it’s going to be hard. But 170, if I take the belt, I will be ready for anything.”
