Islam Makhachev teases UFC retirement before Ian Machado Garry title fight: ‘Don’t have much time’

Islam Makhachev has said he doesn’t “have much time” left in mixed martial arts, as he prepares to defend the UFC welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry. On Saturday, Makhachev faces the divisive Irish star in the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia, with the Russian champion aiming to extend his win streak to a record-breaking 17 UFC fights. The bout is Makhachev’s first title defence at 170lb, after he dominated Jack Della Maddalena to win the gold in November. That victory followed his record-breaking fourth successful title defence at lightweight last January. Between those two fights, Makhachev vacated the lightweight title. And it is possible that the 34-year-old could emulate his coach and childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov by retiring as a UFC champion. Islam Makhachev has opened the door to retirement (Getty) “I'm not like a young guy,” Makhachev told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson this week. “I understand I'm not 28 years old; I'm 34 right now. And I don't have much time.” He is two years older than Nurmagomedov was when he retired after the death of his father Abdulmanap, who also coached Makhachev. “Now it's better for me to fight every three to four months," Makhachev continued. “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." However, Makhachev has shut down talk of an immediate retirement at UFC 330, reiterating his love for being a champion in the promotion. “No, no, no. I told you I like to be UFC champion and we’re still going,” he told TMZ. “It’s not about numbers, about age. It’s about your health, how you feel. “Not everybody can feel the same at 34. That’s why I feel great. No injuries. I still enjoy the sports, you know. That’s why we will fight again.” Makhachev is deemed the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, and he has not lost since his sole professional defeat in 2015. Machado Garry, 28, has similarly lost just once as a pro. He bounced back from that narrow decision defeat, to Shavkat Rakhmonov in December 2024, by outpointing former champion Belal Muhammad and Carlos Prates. “I have so much love and respect for Islam Makhachev and his body of work that he has done in the UFC,” said Machado Garry. “There is no other fight I would want to prove that I'm the best in the world. I get to fight the greatest lightweight of all time, a two-weight world champion, the No 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. "That's why the fight is so interesting. You have got one who focuses mainly on wrestling and grappling [Makhachev], the other who focuses on striking and anti-grappling. UFC welterweight-title challenger Ian Machado Garry (Getty) “This is a fight for history. This is a fight for legacy." Should Makhachev retire in the next year, it could come at the expense of some interesting match-ups at welterweight. The division is stacked, with Prates, Michael Morales and Rakhmonov among the top contenders. Prates and Morales are known for their knockout power, while Rakhmonov is unbeaten and has finished every opponent he has faced except Machado Garry. However, the Kazakh has not fought since beating the Irishman, due to various injury issues.