UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has indicated that his next Octagon appearance will be one of the final fights of his career. The two-division titleholder, who holds a record number of lightweight defenses, posted on social media that he wants to face the winner of the interim welterweight championship bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales at UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30.
Makhachev wrote: "My 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 the world." The champion has been unusually active online since the promotion announced the interim title fight.
UFC CEO Dana White said the organization originally planned for Makhachev to defend his title at UFC 336 but pivoted to an interim title fight because Makhachev wanted to wait until after Ramadan. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from fans, who are enthusiastic about Prates versus Morales but question why an interim belt was introduced when Makhachev fought in August and could return in the spring. By comparison, light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg tore his ACL in April, yet no interim title was created in that division.
Makhachev, who turned 35 in late October and will be closer to 36 by his next fight, is competing longer than his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov advised. Nurmagomedov has publicly warned fighters about holding onto glory past age 35.
