Dominant UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev celebrated his 33rd birthday earlier this year – his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, retired from MMA at the age of 32.
Fortunately, the current 155-pound king has no plans to hang up the gloves anytime soon, but if his retirement isn't contingent on title honors or age – how will Islam Makhachev know when it's time to leave the stage?
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
Islam Makhachev reveals how he knows when to quit MMA
Islam Makhachev is deep in preparation for the fourth defense of his lightweight title, which will arrive at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, against Armenian wrestler Arman Tsarukyan.
Should Makhachev raise his hand in LA, the Russian will officially break the record for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history – currently held by Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn and Benson Henderson, all tied at three.
Although the dominant Dagestani has no plans to stop his blossoming MMA career anytime soon, he has admitted that he will start considering retirement once he stops making progress as an athlete.
“I wouldn't say it's that bad; when I feel like I've stopped [developing] then that's it, I have to retire,” he told 'Yukah MMA', before being asked if he had a specific retirement age in mind.
“No [there is no age in mind]I don't associate anything with age… [Artur] Beterbiev is 39 years old and he is the best boxer in the world. Years are not the limit. I don't have one Islam Makhachev reveals how he will know when to retire after record-breaking title fight at UFC 311 numbers at all [in mind].”
So if title accolades and age are not the dependent factors, how will Makhachev know that he is no longer developing as an MMA fighter? Simple: he will look at the people around him.
“I train with a lot of young guys in the gym, when I see that I can't keep up, that they are overtaking me, overtaking me, why should I torture myself? I will stop [then].
“But that's not the case yet, I feel like I'm on a roll. Now everyone wants to take it [my belt] away, I can't slow down.”
Makhachev certainly can't slow down, especially with such a dangerous contender like Arman Tsarukyan in his sights – if only Khabib was impressed with his training regime.
Islam Makhachev plans to surrender his 155-pound title to UFC newcomer
Although Makhachev still has several years of UFC competition left in him, he has long expressed his desire to leave the lightweight division and capture a second championship title.
Interestingly, the Dagestani stated that he would be more than willing to move up once his teammate and current Bellator Lightweight Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, joined the roster.
“I don't think so, he doesn't have much competition there. If he enters the UFC, when I give up the belt and take off to get a new one, Usman can take that one.
“Naturally [I’ll pass it to him] – UFC 70Kg is our weight class, and we have a lot of strong guys in the gym who can hold the belt for a long time. We [also] have interesting guys who can sell fights.
There could very well be an option to skip welterweight and go straight to middleweight, especially after coach Khabib admitted his “heart isn't right” with Makhachev fighting current 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad.
Fortunately, the Dagestani are already supported by an experienced coach to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis.
UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan airs live from the Intuit Dome in LA on Saturday, January 18.
Related posts
Comments