UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev appears to be sending mixed messages about his future. Initially, he was set to defend his title against Carlos Prates on January 30 at UFC 336, but he declined the fight. As a result, the UFC arranged for Prates to face Michael Morales for an interim title in the event’s co-main bout.
Makhachev justified his decision by stating that Prates and Morales, both strong contenders, should compete first to establish a clear number one challenger. Speaking with reporters in Uzbekistan, he reiterated, “It’s a good fight, and I think both of them deserve a title shot. That’s why I would like to see which of them is more deserving. We’ll find out in January.”
When asked about how many fights he has left before retirement—something he recently hinted at—Makhachev gave a vague response. “There’s no number,” he said. “I am just reaching the finish line. There aren’t many things that could give me motivation in this sport. I’m at the finish line. I just want to fight the contenders, but I don’t see any new names.”
Interestingly, many experts and fans would argue that both Prates and Morales represent fresh, top-tier talent, just as Makhachev acknowledged by saying they both deserve a title shot. Prates has a three-fight winning streak, including a recent TKO against former champ Jack Della Maddalena, while Morales remains undefeated, having most recently knocked out Sean Brady.
Makhachev’s apparent rush toward retirement might not be unexpected, considering that Khabib Nurmagomedov stated back in August 2025 that Makhachev was likely to compete for only one to two more years. Furthermore, Makhachev revealed on Friday that his mother, who has always opposed his fighting career, may ultimately influence his decision. “My mother has always been against me fighting,” he said. “I’ve always listened to my mother, so soon I will obey her word.”
Fan Take: This uncertainty around Makhachev’s future adds an intriguing layer to the welterweight division, which is already heating up with emerging contenders like Prates and Morales. For fight fans, it underscores a potential upcoming shift at the top of the sport that could lead to new rivalries and fresh excitement in the UFC.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
