Islam Makhachev puts retirement rumors to rest: the goal is the record

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has firmly denied reports that he will leave the Octagon after his next fight. The Russian fighter said he still enjoys training, the pressure of being champion and the feeling of being the best athlete in the world.

Most importantly, Makhachev is not facing an ordinary title defense but a chance to set an outright record in UFC history. He currently shares the record of 16 consecutive wins with Anderson Silva. Another victory could make him the sole record holder.

“Fake news”: Makhachev says he has no intention of retiring

In the excerpt from his interview with Mike Bohn, Makhachev said someone had spread baseless information that his next fight would be the last of his career.

“Someone spread fake news saying that I would end my career after this fight. No, that is not true. I want to keep fighting.”

The champion said it would be difficult to replace outside sport the feeling of staying in peak form, facing the strongest opponents and being recognized as the best fighter in the world.

“Staying in shape and feeling that you are becoming the best fighter in the world is incredible. You cannot find anything like it outside sport.”

This statement explains Makhachev’s decision in terms broader than money or another belt. For him, fighting is a lifestyle built over many years, while training with his team remains an important part of everyday life.

His next opponent is Ian Machado Garry

On August 15 in Philadelphia, Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight title against Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330. It will be his first defense since beating Jack Della Maddalena to become champion at a new weight class in November 2025.

According to official UFC information, Garry is the division’s No. 1 contender. His professional record stands at 17 wins and one loss. Makhachev, meanwhile, holds the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings with 28 wins and one defeat.

Garry’s main weapons are mobility, distance control and scoring without absorbing significant strikes. Makhachev stands out for his wrestling, ground control and constant pressure. The bout is therefore expected to be a clash of two contrasting styles.

One win would leave Makhachev alone in the history books

Makhachev’s current 16-fight winning streak matches the longest in UFC history. Anderson Silva also won 16 consecutive fights in the Octagon during his career.

If Makhachev defeats Garry, he will:

• extend his winning streak to 17 fights;

• become the sole owner of the longest winning streak in UFC history;

• make the first successful defense of his welterweight title;

• further cement his status as a two-division champion.

The importance of this record lies in the fact that every UFC fight is contested against high-level ranked opponents. Remaining unbeaten for a long time requires not only skill but also the ability to withstand injuries, weight cuts, psychological pressure and constant analysis from opponents.

He also broke several records at lightweight

Before moving up to welterweight, Makhachev made history in the lightweight division. He became champion by defeating Charles Oliveira and defended his belt four times. That remains the UFC lightweight record for consecutive successful defenses.

He recorded five wins in lightweight title fights, reaching the highest total in divisional history. He then vacated the belt, moved up to welterweight and defeated Jack Della Maddalena convincingly on the scorecards to become a champion in a second weight class.

That is why Makhachev’s claim that they will “break all the possible records” is not merely a grand statement. He has already surpassed several historic marks and is just one win away from the next record.

When could he retire?

Makhachev has also said in previous interviews that he has no plans to leave the sport anytime soon. In his view, he would seriously consider retirement only when he feels that the young fighters in his gym are beginning to match him.

This approach shows that the champion evaluates his condition not only by his age or number of fights but also by his competitiveness in training.

Makhachev is 34 years old. In mixed martial arts, this is an age when experience reaches its peak, while recovery and physical workload become increasingly important. Even so, official UFC statistics show that his streak, defensive numbers and overall record remain at an elite level.

The champion’s motivation has now changed

At the beginning of a career, a fighter competes for a ranking spot, a first major payday or a title opportunity. Once all the main goals have been achieved, maintaining motivation becomes more difficult.

Makhachev has said that he is not motivated in exactly the same way as before, but the desire to win and avoid losing his belt continues to drive him. His current goal is not to make a new name for himself but to preserve his status and climb even higher in history.

At this stage, the risk of every fight also increases. A victory becomes a record, while a defeat could end the dominance built over many years.

Not retirement, but a historic fight ahead

Islam Makhachev has made his position clear: he does not plan to take off his gloves after fighting Garry. The champion wants to stay in top form, face elite opponents and set new records.

All attention now turns to UFC 330. For Makhachev, this is more than a title defense—it is also a chance to break the historic record he currently shares with Anderson Silva.

If he earns his 17th consecutive victory, he will answer the retirement rumors not with words but with his result in the Octagon.

Do you think Makhachev can defeat Garry and set the outright record in UFC history? Leave your opinion in the comments and share the article with sports fans on Telegram or other social networks!