Islam Makhachev Targets Final UFC Title Defenses

Islam Makhachev has indicated that his remaining time in mixed martial arts could be limited, describing his upcoming UFC welterweight championship defense as one of the final fights of his career. The 35-year-old champion wants to face the winner of the interim title contest between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, which is scheduled for Jan. 30 in Toronto.

In a social media post on Friday, October 30, 2026, Makhachev (29-1) confirmed his intention to challenge the winner rather than accept a matchup against either contender individually. His next appearance is expected to follow his observance of Ramadan in February and early March, with a return planned for the second quarter of 2027.

Makhachev addressed the competing assessments of the two potential opponents while expressing confidence in his ability to defeat either fighter.

"My next fight is one of the last in my career. They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me. So, I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in [the] world." Makhachev wrote on X.

The decision to wait for the interim championship result follows an earlier announcement by UFC CEO Dana White. Earlier in October, White revealed that Makhachev was scheduled to defend his title on Jan. 30 but had chosen to wait until the interim title contest determined his next opponent.

Makhachev also explained his reasoning in comments to Russian outlet pound4padel, emphasizing the importance of identifying the leading challenger through competition.

"Prates and Morales will fight, determine who is the true, worthy contender and I will fight [the winner]. They offered me a fight with Prates, who recently lost to [Ian Machado Garry], who I beat. If I beat him, Morales would already be next in line, not fighting and waiting.

Just let them fight and we will figure out who is the real challenger." Makhachev told pound4padel.

The champion's recent achievements have established him among the UFC's most successful competitors. A former lightweight champion and protégé of undefeated legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev captured the welterweight championship by defeating Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025.

He recorded his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry in August 2026. That victory extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive fights, the longest in UFC history.

Makhachev previously secured his first UFC championship by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022, winning the lightweight title before moving up to welterweight.