UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has indicated that his next bout could be one of the final fights of his career. The 35-year-old Russian, who defended his title with a victory over Ian Machado Garry in August, extended his UFC win streak to 17 consecutive victories, surpassing Anderson Silva's 13-year record.
Makhachev, a former lightweight champion with a 29-1 professional record, stated he wants to face the winner of the interim welterweight title fight between Brazil's Carlos Prates and Ecuador's Michael Morales at UFC 336 on January 30. "My next fight is one of the last in my career," Makhachev said. "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."
UFC president Dana White revealed that Makhachev was originally scheduled to defend his belt against Prates in January but chose to delay until after Ramadan in March. White commented that Makhachev was "holding up the division," prompting the creation of the interim bout. Makhachev later said the Prates-Morales matchup will determine "the true worthy contender."
Prates, 33, has won his last three fights by knockout, while Morales, 27, remains undefeated in 19 professional bouts. White previously described Makhachev as being "on the right path" to being considered the greatest fighter in UFC history.
