Islam Makhachev reveals how he will know when to retire after record-breaking title fight at UFC 311
12/30/2024 08:37 AM
Dominant UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev celebrated his 33rd birthday earlier this year – his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, retired from MMA at the age of 32.
Thankfully, the current 155lb king doesn't plan on hanging up the gloves anytime soon, but if his retirement isn't dependent on either title accolades or age – how will Islam Makhachev know when it's time to exit stage left?
Islam Makhachev reveals how he'll know when to retire from MMA
Islam Makhachev is deep in preparation for the fourth defense of his lightweight title, which will arrive at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, against Armenian wrestler Arman Tsarukyan.
Should Makhachev get his hand raised out in LA, the Russian will officially break the record for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history – currently held by Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn, and Benson Henderson, all tied at three.
Whilst the dominant Dagestani doesn't plan on calling a halt to his surging MMA career anytime soon, he has admitted that he'll start to consider retirement as soon as he stops progressing as an athlete.
"I wouldn't say it's that bad; if I feel like I have stopped [developing] then that's it, I have to quit," he told 'Yukah MMA', before being asked whether he has a specific retirement age in mind.
"No [there is no age in mind], I don't associate anything with age… [Artur] Beterbiev is 39 years old, and he's the best boxer in the world. Years are not the limit. I don't have any [title] numbers at all [in mind]."
So if title accolades and age aren't the dependent factors, how will Makhachev know that he's stopped developing as an MMA fighter? Simple, he'll look to those around him.
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"I train with a lot of young guys in the gym, if I see that I can't keep up, that they are catching up with me, overtaking me, then why should I torture myself? I'll stop [then].
"But that's not the case yet, I feel like I am on a roll. Now everyone wants to take it [my belt] away, I can't slow down."
Makhachev certainly can't slow down, especially with such a dangerous contender as Arman Tsarukyan in his sights – if only Khabib was impressed by his training regime.
Islam Makhachev plans to 'hand over' his 155lb title to UFC newcomer
Whilst Makhachev has several years of UFC competition left in him, he has long been vocal about his desire to leave the lightweight division and capture a second championship belt.
Interestingly, the Dagestani stated that he'd be more than willing to move up once his teammate and current Bellator lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, joins the roster.
"I think so, he doesn't have much competition there. If he enters the UFC, when I'm vacating the belt and moving up to get a new one, Usman can take it.
"Of course [I'll pass it to him] – UFC 70Kg is our weight class, and we have a lot of strong guys in the gym who can hold the belt for a long time. We [also] have interesting guys who can sell fights."
There could very well be an option to skip welterweight and go straight to middleweight, especially after coach Khabib admitted that his 'heart is not okay' with Makhachev fighting current 170lb champ Belal Muhammad.
Luckily, the Dagestani has already been backed to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis by one veteran coach.
UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan goes down live from the Intuit Dome in LA on Saturday, January 18.
