What Is Keeping Islam Makhachev in the Octagon? The Answer Is Unexpected...
Islam Makhachev has achieved major goals, including becoming UFC champion, ruling the lightweight division and winning a second divisional title. However, the 34-year-old fighter is not yet thinking about retirement.
According to Makhachev, the reason is not simply another record or championship belt. The main force driving him forward is his clear understanding that if he lets his training slip, an opponent in the octagon will punish him severely.
One dream gave way to another
Makhachev said his first dream was to become UFC champion. In 2022, he submitted Charles Oliveira in the second round to win the lightweight championship belt.
His next goal was to defend the belt as many times as possible. During his lightweight run, Makhachev defeated opponents such as Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, putting together a long winning streak in the division.
He then set a new target: move up to welterweight and become a two-division UFC champion. His victory over Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025 fulfilled that goal as well. Makhachev is now the welterweight champion and is ranked as the UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1.
«Avvaliga orzum UFC chempioni bo‘lish edi. Keyin yengil vaznda imkon qadar ko‘proq himoya o‘tkazishni istadim. Shundan so‘ng ikki vazn toifasida chempion bo‘lishni maqsad qildim. Hozir bu maqsadga ham erishdim», — dedi Maxachev.
Now the main target is a solo record
Makhachev's UFC winning streak has reached 16 fights. In the official statistics, he shares first place in this category with the legendary Anderson Silva.
Silva won 16 consecutive UFC fights between 2006 and 2012. For many years, that record was one of the most impressive achievements in the organization's history.
If Makhachev wins one more bout:
Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
Anderson Silva's streak | 16 wins |
Makhachev's current streak | 16 wins |
After the next victory | 17 wins |
Historical status | Sole UFC record |
The fighter himself admitted that the desire to break this mark could be giving him extra motivation.
The strongest motivation is the fear of defeat
Makhachev's most interesting statement was not about records, but about his approach to training.
“What motivates me the most is that if I enter the cage without proper preparation, someone will mess up my face. That is why I need to stay focused and keep working hard.”
This thought reveals one of professional MMA's simplest yet most brutal truths: championship status does not protect a fighter from punches.
Every opponent who enters the octagon wants to defeat Makhachev and claim the biggest victory of their career. That is why even if the champion eases off training for a single day, his rivals will continue working to find his weaknesses.
Success has not made him complacent
Many athletes struggle to maintain their previous hunger and discipline after achieving their main goals. Makhachev faces the same psychological danger:
he became a champion in two weight classes;
he matched the longest winning streak in UFC history;
his professional record reached 28 wins and one loss;
he is recognized as the best pound-for-pound fighter.
However, his statement shows that the champion does not consider himself invincible. On the contrary, he understands that every new opponent can make his previous achievements worthless in a single night.
That danger helps him maintain a high pace in training, stay focused and approach every bout as the most important fight of his career.
The fight against Garry could be historic
Makhachev will fight Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330. The event will take place in Philadelphia, United States, on August 15; because of the time difference, the main card in Uzbekistan will begin in the early hours of August 16.
This will be Makhachev's first defense of the welterweight championship belt.
Three major questions will be answered in this matchup:
Will Makhachev retain his belt in the new division?
Will he extend his winning streak to 17 fights?
Will he surpass Anderson Silva's historic mark?
Garry is no ordinary challenger. He could end the champion's streak and become the new UFC champion while creating a major moment in history in a single night.
Is it too early to talk about retirement?
Although Makhachev has achieved all his initial goals, new challenges are emerging. Even after breaking Silva's record, he will still have welterweight title defenses, new challengers and his place in history to fight for.
However, the main reason keeping him in the sport is even simpler than trophies: in MMA, you cannot afford to be unprepared.
Makhachev's words reveal the psychology of a champion. To stay at the top, a person must not only want to win but also remember how painful defeat can be.
For now, that feeling is keeping Makhachev in the octagon. The fight against Garry will answer whether this motivation can take him to the outright record in UFC history.
How many more fights do you think Makhachev should have after breaking Silva's record? Leave your opinion in the comments and share the article with sports fans on Telegram or other social networks!
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