Machachev said fighting early in the year is a huge risk with a dominant outcome for any of his future opponents, should Makhachev not see eye-to-eye.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJanuary, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months and they called me in December,\u201d Makhachev said. “They were like, \u2018You\u2019ll be fighting in January.\u2019 I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won\u2019t fight in January.\u201d<\/p>\n
Makhachev doesn\u2019t have opponent preferences, but did say he was \u201cnot sure\u201d whether a fight against Kamaru Usman would be a possibility. The former welterweight champion is fresh off a win against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, which snapped a three-fight losing skid and put him back in the mix in a crowded division.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Makhachv said if his cards are played corectly, early summer is a solid possibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Who Will Makhachev Fight Next?![\"Islam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kdjxjmdn73w8ecyfh0.jpg\" "\\"Islam")
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Nov 15, 2025; New York, NY, UNITED STATES; Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) fights Jack Della Maddalena (red gloves) in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
READ MORE:Ex-UFC champion reveals unexpected plan for UFC future after third-straight loss<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think it will be after Ramadan for sure. April, May, June,\u201d Makhachev said. \u201cIf they want to wait and put it it at the White House, then I\u2019ll wait. If not, then I can fight earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n What the UFC will do with Makhachev next is unknown, but it seems the newly-crowned champion is going to get after it sooner than later.<\/p>\n Now, Makhachev\u2019s return awaits the MMA masses.<\/p>\n Makhachev appears content with his plan, as he said he\u2019s in no rush to return until the timing is perfect.<\/p>\n But the UFC will be without him as it begins its new era.<\/p>\n For now, it remains to be seen what happens next.<\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champ aims to snap losing streak on Holloway vs. Oliveira undercard at UFC 326<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend Anderson Silva shares puzzling response regarding Dana White relationship<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC shockingly parts ways with fighter boasting undefeated UFC record<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fans put on notice after fighter scores insane walk-off KO in first pro fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n