‘Duck’ Or Not, Islam Makhachev’s Coach Provides Shock Retirement Timeline Ahead of UFC Welterweight Title Fight

Ahead of his welterweight PPV title matchup this year, Islam Makhachev’s coach reveals shocking retirement timeline.

‘Duck’ Or Not, Islam Makhachev’s Coach Provides Shock Retirement Timeline Ahead of UFC Welterweight Title Fight

Islam Makhachev, 33, has few fights in tank after UFC welterweight move, per coach (Source: X)

People regard Islam Makhachev as the big honcho, if not the all-time greatest UFC 155-pounder, because he broke the record for the most title defenses in the competition history. What he has achieved and his winning momentum have also earned Makhachev a direct shot at the UFC 170-pound gold in the near future.

Islam Makhachev’s four consecutive UFC lightweight defenses are the most yet. The Eagles MMA fighter has even surpassed his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. His 15-fight win streak is also the most among the active roster. However, the fight community might not get to see this stretch out for long, as coach Javier Mendez, has provided a shock timeline when the Dagestani could hang it all up:

I think [champ] Du Plessis is another, I don’t know, I don’t really want to anticipate what could happen there because it’s a lot of what-ifs, you know, …Islam is actually gonna be 34 – so it isn’t like he’s really gonna be around much longer I don’t think, based on how the Dagestani guys and their mentality on team Khabib is and Islam having enough money…I’m anticipating [few]…I’m anticipating we’ll see him for maybe another three fights total, let’s see who’s in the works for that. 

Javier Mendez to Denis Shkuratov for the ‘Submission Radio’ Show for SBNation Network (🎥: @SubmissionRadio on YT)

Despite much hesitancy about fighting another former/current roster featherweight and inviting weight bully claims, Makhachev is willing to give Ilia Topuria a try, per his coach. He also stated that Makhachev is not and won’t be ducking him. The Spaniard fights for his vacant lightweight strap at the UFC 317 PPV main event next, and this could set up quite a super fight. There are other options as well.

The Dagestani has always dreamt of a second belt and is currently on tap for a PPV title showdown vs. Jack Della Maddalena this year. But if not Topuria, Mendez likes to dream big and has teased showdowns at 185 pounds if possible, given his buff hydration. If welterweight doesn’t pan out, will this rivalry take a trip up to further north? Only time will tell.

After watching UFC Atlanta go down, UFC welterweight makes three-word assessment on Islam Makhachev

Even as a big lightweight, Makhachev is a small 185-pounder per Dricus Du Plessis, the reigning champ. His array of skills might not transfer with the backing of his full power and a proper sticky top mount at higher and higher hydration. However, 170 is within his bracket of body’s natural hydration, and Makhachev is ready for it.

Islam Makhachev poised to have success as 170-pounder
Islam Makhachev poised to have success as 170-pounder (Source: X)

The 170-pound top order is convoluted as it is, and Islam Makhachev has stirred up a storm evermore, racking up a shot at gold. There’s gradual No.1-ranking Sean Brady, a very recent welterweight top seed, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Garry – who gave bogeyman Rakhmonov a stiff test and proved him human (Garry has logged a win after that). Now, there’s Kamaru Usman.

Usman, a former divisional and Pound-for-pound king, once even dapped it up with Islam Makhachev, promising to have a go at each other if they still held the belt. Usman recently racked up a dominant win over Joaquin Buckley at the UFC on ESPN 69 main event.

Packing one more win, and it puts him directly against the winner of Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena in all probability. During his Atlanta post-fight presser, Usman even floated the promotion’s former pound-for-pound versus current pound-for-pound idea.

However, welterweight peer Kevin Holland, robustly outspoken, didn’t see anything in the Usman vs. Buckley matchup to think Makhachev won’t fare well against them.

The Dagestani is the promotion’s #1 P4P fighter for a reason and has often defeated fighters in their own game. Usman’s burst of wrestling would be nothing new for a sambo specialist of his kind. Makhachev’s eight submission wins in 155-pound competition slate sit at #3. He used to land 60.3 percent of his significant strike attempts as a 155-pounder, the highest so far, and even momentarily outboxed Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev’s rate of absorbing significant strikes — 1.51 per minute — was the best while at lightweight. He has also defended 90.9 percent of all opponent TDs in the UFC lightweight competition; there’s no saying he won’t have similar results hydrating one above.

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