Makhachev Reveals Three-Fight UFC Retirement Plan

Islam Makhachev has laid out the final chapter of his legendary career. The UFC welterweight champion revealed he has three more fights left before he retires from mixed martial arts. This announcement comes fresh off his dominant unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, a win that extended his record-setting streak to 17 consecutive victories inside the Octagon.

How many fights does Islam Makhachev have left?

Makhachev made his plans clear while speaking to reporters in Dagestan. At 34 years old and sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings, the fighter said he intends to take on a final trio of elite challengers. "I think I have at least three more spectacular and very tough fights for me," Makhachev said, according to MMAFighting.com. He acknowledged the depth of talent in his weight class, suggesting his remaining bouts will be against the division's best title contenders. While the UFC has not made anything official, speculation points to a potential next defense against Carlos Prates, possibly later this year or early next year.

Is Islam Makhachev a top-five UFC GOAT?

His latest win has ignited serious conversation about his all-time standing. Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo now believes Makhachev belongs in the sport's top five greatest of all time. Cejudo explained his reasoning on MMA Junkie Radio, pointing directly to Makhachev's accomplishments as a double champion. "This is all based on freaking numbers," Cejudo said. He placed Makhachev alongside or even ahead of legends like Georges St-Pierre, specifically because Makhachev successfully defended a title in a second weight class, something St-Pierre did not do. Cejudo's current top-five list includes Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, Anderson Silva, and then a choice between St-Pierre and Makhachev.

What did his UFC 330 win accomplish?

The victory over Garry was historically significant. By securing his 17th straight UFC win, Makhachev officially broke the longstanding record of 16 consecutive victories previously held by Anderson Silva. This milestone further distances him from the shadow of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired with a perfect 29-0 record. Makhachev's sole professional loss came nearly eleven years ago against Adriano Martins in his second UFC bout. That single blemish is the only thing separating his current 29-1 record from perfection. The win solidifies his status as the definitive best fighter in the world today, a point of near-unanimous agreement among analysts and fans.

What comes next for the champion?

With his retirement timeline now public, every future fight carries immense weight. Makhachev is not just defending belts; he is actively building a case for historical supremacy with each outing. The potential bout with Carlos Prates represents the first step in this three-fight finale. Each opponent will be looking to derail a legacy in the making, while Makhachev aims to cement his. The audacity to continue fighting at the peak of his powers, with so much to lose, is what defines this final push. He is chasing the GOAT crown by risking it all, a rare approach in modern sports.

• Final Fights: Islam Makhachev stated he has three fights remaining before retiring from the UFC.
• Record Broken: His win at UFC 330 gave him 17 straight victories, breaking Anderson Silva's UFC record.
• GOAT Status: Henry Cejudo ranks Makhachev among the top-five greatest UFC fighters of all time.
• Next Likely Opponent: Carlos Prates is speculated to be the next challenger for the welterweight title.