Islam Makhachev has stated he wants to compete in three more fights before ending his career, describing the upcoming bouts as interesting and difficult. The planned opponents include Moraes, Prates, and potentially Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Islam Makhachev has indicated he intends to compete in roughly three more bouts before bringing his fighting career to a close, offering a rare public glimpse at the timeline he envisions for his time at the top of the sport. The report has not been officially confirmed, and the details remain unverified.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 29-1-0 record and currently holds champion status, sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw, who trains out of Eagles MMA, stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and has built his reputation on suffocating grappling. He averages 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a 58-percent accuracy clip, making him one of the most well-rounded forces in the division. According to the report, the fighters he has in mind for those final bouts include Moraes and Prates, with a potential matchup against Shavkat Rakhmonov also floated as a possibility.
Rakhmonov, nicknamed Nomad, represents one of the most compelling names in that reported list. The 31-year-old Kazakhstani is unbeaten at 19-0-0, fights out of DAR Team, and stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach. He lands significant strikes at a 60-percent accuracy rate and averages 1.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, while also posing a submission threat at 1.2 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Makhachev publicly framing an endpoint to his career adds urgency to every remaining bout on his schedule
- A matchup with Rakhmonov, if it materializes, would pit two undefeated-or-near-perfect competitors with contrasting physical profiles against each other
- The inclusion of multiple named opponents suggests a deliberate, legacy-focused approach to how Makhachev wants to close out his career
- All details should be treated as unconfirmed until official announcements are made
