Islam Makhachev has stated he wants to fight again before February 2027, citing his age of 34 and the absence of significant injuries as reasons to return quickly. The champion revealed he had agreed to a White House fight against Ilia Topuria earlier this year before being told the following day that the bout was off. With Arman Tsarukyan reportedly willing to challenge for the title in December, a Makhachev–Tsarukyan lightweight title fight could materialise this winter.
Islam Makhachev has made clear he wants to be back inside the octagon before February 2027, and a December lightweight title defence against Arman Tsarukyan is reportedly one potential path to get him there — though nothing has been officially confirmed.
Makhachev, 34, pointed to his age and a clean bill of health as the driving forces behind his desire to stay active. The Russian champion, who trains out of Eagles MMA, carries a 28-1 record and holds the lightweight title along with the pound-for-pound top ranking. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, Makhachev has built his dominance on a relentless grappling game — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — while also posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent, among the best in the sport. He fights out of a southpaw stance and lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute, complementing his wrestling with genuine finishing threat on the ground.
Makhachev also revealed that a bout against Ilia Topuria had been verbally agreed earlier this year before falling apart the very next day. Topuria, ranked first in the lightweight division and first pound-for-pound, holds a 17-1 record and has established himself as one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport. The 29-year-old from Spain lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and has shown the ability to mix striking with takedowns at 1.96 per 15 minutes.
With that matchup having collapsed, attention has shifted to a potential title fight with Tsarukyan, who is said to be willing to step up in December.
Why it matters
- Makhachev is eager to remain active and has a clear personal timeline tied to his age and health
- The collapsed Topuria negotiation leaves the lightweight title picture unsettled heading into late 2026
- A rematch with Tsarukyan — a former training partner — would carry significant divisional and personal weight
- Nothing is signed; this remains a reported possibility rather than a scheduled contest
Saturday, August 15, 2026
