The UFC welterweight champion says his next fight will be among his last as Carlos Prates and Michael Morales prepare to battle for the interim championship in Toronto.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has indicated that his retirement from mixed martial arts may be approaching. The 35-year-old Russian fighter said on Friday, October 30, 2026, that his next appearance inside the Octagon would be among the final fights of his career.
His comments came as the Ultimate Fighting Championship prepared for a major welterweight showdown between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. The two contenders will compete for the interim championship at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.
Makhachev had previously been considered for a title defense against Prates at the event. However, he decided against competing in January, prompting the UFC to schedule an interim championship fight while the undisputed titleholder remains inactive.
Makhachev Says His Fighting Career Is Nearing Its End
Makhachev addressed speculation surrounding his future in a social media message published October 30. His statement indicated that he intends to face another major challenge before retiring from professional mixed martial arts.
“My next fight is one of the last in my career,” Makhachev wrote.
He also responded to criticism suggesting that he was avoiding the two leading contenders in the welterweight division.
“They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me,” he wrote. “So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in the world.”
CBS Sports reported that Makhachev wants to compete against the winner of the interim title fight before ending his career. However, the champion has not announced a retirement date or specified exactly how many fights he has remaining.
His statement represents a change in emphasis from earlier discussions about extending his championship career. Although Makhachev has previously acknowledged that retirement is approaching, he remains interested in defending his position against the strongest available challengers.
Why Makhachev Will Not Fight at UFC 336
UFC president and CEO Dana White confirmed that the organization originally wanted Makhachev to defend his championship at UFC 336 in Toronto.
The proposed opponent was Carlos Prates, a rising Brazilian contender who earned attention with several impressive knockout victories.
Makhachev declined the January opportunity because he preferred to compete after Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and religious observance. Ramadan is expected to run from February 7 through March 8 in 2027, subject to local moon sightings.
White subsequently announced that Prates would face Morales for an interim championship instead.
The UFC confirmed the matchup on October 24, establishing the winner as the next challenger to Makhachev’s undisputed welterweight title.
The decision generated criticism because Makhachev had defended his championship only a few months earlier. Interim titles are generally used when a reigning champion cannot defend the belt, although the UFC does not require a specific period of inactivity before creating one.
Makhachev has defended the welterweight championship once since capturing the title in November 2025. His latest victory came on August 15, 2026, against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.
Makhachev’s Victory Over Ian Machado Garry
Makhachev retained the welterweight championship by unanimous decision against Garry at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
The judges scored the five-round contest 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 in favor of Makhachev.
According to the UFC’s official results, the victory extended his winning streak to 17 consecutive fights inside the Octagon. The achievement established a new UFC record for consecutive victories.
Makhachev relied heavily on his wrestling and grappling throughout the championship fight. Garry delivered effective striking during portions of the contest, but the champion secured enough control to win on all three scorecards.
The victory represented Makhachev’s first successful defense of his welterweight championship. He previously held the UFC lightweight title and established a divisional record with four successful defenses.
Makhachev entered the welterweight division after relinquishing the lightweight championship in 2025. He defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November of that year to become a two-division UFC champion.
Carlos Prates and Michael Morales Fight for Interim Gold
The January matchup brings together two of the most dangerous contenders in the 170-pound division.
Prates, 33, enters the contest with a professional record of 24 victories and seven defeats. The Brazilian has gained attention through aggressive striking and a series of stoppage victories.
He defeated former welterweight champion Leon Edwards by knockout at UFC 322 in November 2025. Prates followed that performance by stopping another former champion, Jack Della Maddalena, in the third round of their May 2026 meeting in Perth, Australia.
Prates also defeated Geoff Neal in August 2025. His recent performances helped establish him as a leading contender for the championship.
However, his UFC career includes a defeat against Ian Machado Garry in April 2025. Makhachev has cited that result when questioning whether Prates should receive an immediate undisputed title opportunity.
Morales, 27, enters UFC 336 with an undefeated professional record of 19-0.
The Ecuadorian contender has won all seven of his UFC appearances, combining powerful striking with athleticism and effective movement.
His most recent victory came against Sean Brady at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025. Morales stopped Brady by technical knockout at 3:27 of the opening round, strengthening his case for a championship opportunity.
The UFC’s official announcement described the interim title fight as an opportunity to determine the next challenger for Makhachev. Both fighters will have the chance to claim championship status before facing the reigning titleholder.
Prates Criticizes the Champion’s Decision
Prates expressed frustration after learning that his proposed championship opportunity against Makhachev would not take place in January.
According to MMA Fighting, the Brazilian criticized Makhachev on social media and argued that the delay had interrupted his pursuit of an undisputed championship.
Prates said he had spent 17 years working toward becoming a world champion. He also suggested that he intended to confront Makhachev after winning the interim belt.
Makhachev responded by arguing that the contenders should first determine which fighter deserves to challenge him.
He pointed to Prates’ loss against Garry, whom Makhachev defeated in August, and questioned why Morales should receive a title opportunity after remaining inactive since November 2025.
Makhachev said a fight between Prates and Morales would produce a clear challenger. He expressed support for the matchup and indicated that he would face the winner.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Retirement Advice
Makhachev’s comments have renewed attention on his relationship with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov retired from professional mixed martial arts in 2020 with an undefeated record of 29-0. He was 32 when he announced his retirement following a submission victory against Justin Gaethje.
The former champion has remained involved in Makhachev’s career as a mentor and coach.
Nurmagomedov has previously advised fighters against remaining in competition too long, particularly after reaching their mid-30s.
Makhachev turned 35 in October 2026. If he returns during the summer of 2027, he will be approaching his 36th birthday.
Despite his age, Makhachev remains one of the UFC’s most accomplished active champions. His success across two weight divisions has placed him among the organization’s most prominent fighters.
His retirement comments suggest that he is considering the final stages of his career rather than planning an immediate departure.
UFC Welterweight Division Faces an Important Turning Point
The creation of an interim championship adds another significant matchup to a competitive welterweight division.
Other established contenders include Ian Machado Garry, Sean Brady and former champion Jack Della Maddalena. Rising fighters such as Gabriel Bonfim and Mike Malott are also competing to advance in the rankings.
The immediate championship picture, however, centers on Prates and Morales.
Their January 30 fight will determine the interim champion and establish the next opponent for Makhachev. A championship unification bout could follow later in 2027, although the UFC has not announced a date or venue.
For Makhachev, that eventual matchup could become one of the final appearances of a career marked by championships in two divisions and a record-setting winning streak.
The next confirmed step is UFC 336 in Toronto, where Prates and Morales will compete for the opportunity to challenge the reigning welterweight champion.
IMAGE:
Islam Makhachev 2023 Source https://glava.e-dag.ru/press/294/ Author Head of the Respublic of Dagestan CC3