Islam Makhachev says he “does not have much time” left in the UFC as the Russian prepares to make the first defence of his welterweight title.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best MMA fighters of all time, faces Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The former lightweight champion made his UFC debut in 2015 and has gone on to build a glittering resume, winning 17 of his 18 fights in the promotion.<\/p>\n
Should he beat 28-year-old Machado Garry at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, he will eclipse Anderson Silva’s 16 successive wins in the UFC – a record which has stood for 13 years.<\/p>\n
Makhachev moved up in weight last year after a record-breaking fourth lightweight title defence and says he wants to compete more often as he enters the latter stages of his career.<\/p>\n
“I’m not like young guy. Now it’s better for me to fight every three to four months,” Makhachev told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson.<\/p>\n
“I understand I’m not 28 years old; I’m 34 right now. And I don’t have much time. <\/p>\n
“Sometimes it’s not going like you want in the UFC. You want to fight after three or four months, but it’s not according to your wish.”<\/p>\n
Critics have debated in the build-up to Makhachev’s bout with Machado Garry if his achievements have surpassed team-mate and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.<\/p>\n