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Islam Makhachev says the end of his career is near. The UFC welterweight champion posted online that the next fight is \u201cone of the last in my career,\u201d after weeks of backlash over the decision to wait until after Ramadan to defend the belt. Carlos Prates and Michael Morales now fight for an interim belt in the co-main event of UFC 336 in Toronto on Jan. 30. The 35-year-old Makhachev had been tied to Prates for the card. The plan collapsed, and he says he will wait for the winner.<\/p>\n
Is Islam Makhachev Close To Retirement?<\/p>\n
Islam Makhachev did not give a date, but the wording was hard to miss. The post read: \u201cMy next fight is one of the last in my career. 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 world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retirement talk sounds early for a man with 29 wins, one loss and 17 straight victories. He is 35, old for the sport, yet nothing in the results says he has slowed. Makhachev took the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022. In November 2025 he moved up and beat Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt. Only four fighters have won and defended titles in more than one UFC weight class. Beat the Prates and Morales winner, and Makhachev becomes the first man to make multiple successful defenses in two divisions.<\/p>\n
Why Is Makhachev Waiting For The Prates And Morales Winner?<\/p>\n
Makhachev called for Prates after beating Ian Machado Garry in August, and a January date was rumored. It fell through. UFC CEO Dana White said earlier this month the champion was supposed to defend on Jan. 30 and chose to wait instead. Makhachev will not fight until after Ramadan next year. He explained his thinking to Russian outlet pound4padel: \u201cPrates and Morales will fight, determine who is the true, worthy contender, and I will fight [the winner].\u201d He added: \u201cJust let them fight, and we will figure out who is the real challenger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colby Covington, a former UFC fighter, backs the delay. Speaking to MMAjunkie, he said: \u201cI was surprised, you know. Islam just fought, like two or three months ago, I thought, and he just had a title defense. Give him a little time to get through Ramadan.\u201d He is less sold on the interim belt. \u201cThose guys aren’t worthy to be fighting for an interim title. What have those guys done?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He picks Prates. \u201cMorales swings recklessly, and I just don’t think he’ll be ready for Prates’ pinpoint accuracy,\u201d Covington said. On the finish, he was blunt: \u201cI think someone will get knocked out, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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