Islam Makhachev Signals Impending Retirement Ahead of January Title Defense

Reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev announced on social media that his next fight will be one of the last of his career.

Islam Makhachev (29-1) announced via social media on October 30, 2026, that his upcoming UFC welterweight title defense will be "one of the last" of his professional career. The 35-year-old, currently ranked as ESPN’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, is expected to return to the Octagon on January 30 in Toronto. Following that bout, Makhachev plans to observe Ramadan in February and March before a projected return in the second quarter of 2027.

UFC CEO Dana White previously indicated the champion would wait to face the winner of an interim title bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. Makhachev confirmed this path, stating he declined an immediate offer to fight Prates because the challenger recently lost to Ian Machado Garry. By waiting for the Prates-Morales winner, Makhachev aims to face a definitive No. 1 contender to prove his standing as the world's best fighter.

The protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov currently holds the longest consecutive win streak in UFC history at 17 victories. After winning the lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022, Makhachev moved up in weight to capture the welterweight belt from Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025. He most recently defended that title against Machado Garry in August.