Makhachev said that close to the end of his career in the UFC

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev said that he is on the finish line of his career and does not see many new challenges in mixed martial arts.

“As I said, I am in the finish line. I don’t have much motivation in this sport. I want to fight with the contenders, and I do not see many new names for myself, the fighter said, answering questions from journalists in Tashkent.

Makhachev is 35. He has 29 wins and one defeat. He previously held the UFC lightweight championship belt, and in November 2025 moved to the welterweight category and won the title, defeating Jack Della Maddalena.

In August, at the UFC 330 tournament in Philadelphia, the Russian held the first defense of the belt and unanimously defeated Ian Harry. This victory was Makhachev’s 17th in a row in the UFC – an organization record. Now he occupies the first place in the ranking of the best fighters of promotion, regardless of weight category.