Joe Rogan Thinks Islam Makhachev Retires at UFC 330 to Set up Massive Vacant Title Fight

Popular UFC commentator Joe Rogan reveals how Islam Makhachev's retirement at UFC 330 could influence new competition.

Joe Rogan Thinks Islam Makhachev Retires at UFC 330 to Set up Massive Vacant Title Fight

Joe Rogan speaks on Islam Makhachev's future (via Instagram, MMA Fighting)

Islam Makhachev is set to defend his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330, his first defense at 170 pounds. However, the Dagestani star is now 34, and Joe Rogan believes he could retire soon. Rogan believes Makhachev could step away and give younger contenders a chance at the championship.

Makhachev has spent over 11 years in the UFC since making his promotional debut in 2015. He owns a 28-1 professional record and has won 16 straight UFC fights. The Dagestani star captured the lightweight title by defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 before moving to welterweight and defeating Jack Della Maddalena for his second UFC championship.

UFC 330 presents a unique challenge for Makhachev in his first welterweight title defense. The champion enters with major implications, as he is tied with Anderson Silva at 16 straight UFC wins. A victory over Garry would give Makhachev 17 wins and the longest streak in UFC history.

Rogan has remained appreciative of Makhachev throughout his UFC career. The longtime UFC commentator has even rated Makhachev above UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov in certain skills. That praise now leads into Rogan’s recent prediction about Makhachev’s future after UFC 330.

Islam may retire. He’s done a lot. He’s competed in two different weight classes and won world championships in two different weight classes. If he beats Ian, if he submits Ian and says, ‘I’ve had enough, I’m going to do what Khabib did, and I’m going to coach now,’ I could see that. And then I could see Morales and Prates for the undisputed title

Joe Rogan via JRE MMA Show #184

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have emerged in the welterweight title mix after impressive recent performances. Morales remains undefeated and knocked out Sean Brady at UFC 322. Meanwhile, Prates knocked out former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322 and recently stopped Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth.

Makhachev has been vocal about wanting to face Prates since the Brazilian’s victory over at UFC Perth. The Dagestani superstar recently rejected Morales as his preferred next challenger. If Makhachev succeeds at UFC 330, he believes the Brazilian knockout artist would provide an exciting title defense.

Rogan called Makhachev the UFC’s most complete fighter after his performance against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Makhachev outstruck Poirier before submitting him with a fifth-round D’Arce choke. The performance further highlighted the champion’s well-rounded skill set.

Makhachev has previously made it clear that he does not plan to follow Khabib Nurmagomedov’s early retirement path. He instead intends to extend his career and remain active at the highest level. His earlier stance makes Rogan’s latest retirement prediction particularly notable ahead of UFC 330.

Ian Garry presents a major threat to Islam Makhachev’s welterweight reign at UFC 330. However, the reigning champion has predicted an early finish before the third round.

With Joe Rogan expecting retirement after a successful defense, UFC 330 carries major significance for the 34-year-old superstar’s future.

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Islam Makhachev has become a major figure in Russian MMA, continuing the legacy established by Khabib Nurmagomedov. The two trained together under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who coached both fighters. After ‘The Eagle’ retired undefeated, Makhachev emerged as the next major Dagestani UFC champion.

Makhachev was recently awarded the honorary title of Honored Master of Sport of Russia. The prestigious honor recognized his achievements in MMA and sambo. The award came ahead of his UFC 330 welterweight title defense against Ian Garry. It further highlighted Makhachev’s growing standing within Russian combat sports.

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev (via MMA Fighting)

Makhachev is one of Russia’s prominent names in combat sambo, winning the 2016 World Combat Sambo Championship. The Dagestani native also holds a black belt in judo and grew up in Russia’s Republic of Dagestan.

His deep Russian and Dagestani roots have remained central to his identity, leading to his thoughts about retiring in Moscow.

I’d love to fight in Russia because everybody supports me there and wants to watch my fight. I want to finish my career there and put my gloves down in the Octagon in Moscow.

Islam Makhachev via TMZ Sports

The UFC last held an event in Russia at Moscow’s CSKA Arena on November 9, 2019. UFC Fight Night 163 featured Zabit Magomedsharipov defeating Calvin Kattar in the main event.

With Islam Makhachev now the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1, returning to his home country could be a fitting next chapter. However, it all depends on the UFC as they have not gone back to Russia in years due to geopolitical conflict between various countries.

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