Islam Makhachev has hinted at a potential return to the UFC octagon in July 2026. The post notes that Conor McGregor's return is also expected during the same month at International Fight Week. No specific opponent or event has been confirmed yet. Makhachev's last fight and his upcoming opponent remain unspecified in this brief announcement. The timing would place both fighters on the same card or within the same event week.
Islam Makhachev has hinted at a potential return to the UFC octagon in July 2026, though no opponent or specific event has been officially confirmed, making this an unverified report at this stage.
Makhachev, 34, holds a record of 28-1 and is the reigning welterweight champion, currently ranked at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter, who trains with Eagles MMA, is a southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He is among the most technically complete fighters in the sport, landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
The report also notes that Conor McGregor is expected to return during the same period, likely during International Fight Week. McGregor, 37, nicknamed "The Notorious," fights out of SBG Ireland and carries a professional record of 22-6. The Dublin-born southpaw stands five-foot-nine with an unusually long 74-inch reach. He has historically been one of the sport's most prolific strikers, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute in his career.
Why it matters
- Makhachev returning in July would be a marquee welterweight title event during one of the UFC's most high-profile weeks of the year
- McGregor's concurrent return, if confirmed, raises the possibility of both fighters appearing on the same card or within the same event week
- Neither fighter's opponent has been named, leaving the divisional and rankings implications entirely open at this point
- Both fighters are southpaws with contrasting styles — Makhachev a grappling-first champion, McGregor a high-volume striker — though there is no suggestion they are linked as opponents
