Islam Makhachev dismisses retirement rumours and reveals the UFC record he still wants to break

Follow us on Google Discover

Islam Makhachev still has big plans in MMA.

The former UFC lightweight champion is getting ready for his comeback in New York City, where he’ll headline UFC 322 as he takes on the welterweight title.

He’s set to face Jack Della Maddalena, who will be making his first defence of the belt. A win would put Makhachev among the few fighters to hold titles in two divisions.

After that, some people think he could call it a day and retire at the top, following the path of Khabib Nurmagomedov. And according to Makhachev, if Khabib ever told him to stop fighting, he’d do it without question.

Makhachev is hoping that request won’t come after UFC 322. He still wants more from his career.

Islam Makhachev aims to surpass Kamaru Usman’s UFC welterweight title defence record

Makhachev is closing in on another big goal at Madison Square Garden, but he has no intention of stopping there.

His plan after facing Della Maddalena is to not just win the belt but to put together a string of defences that rivals the top names in welterweight history.

“I defended my belt more than everybody,” Makhachev told UFC. “I want to do something more, not just become champion.

“Second belt, defend, maybe more than Kamaru (Usman), and to become (part of) the Hall of Fame,” he added.

Kamaru Usman could be Islam Makhachev’s first defence

Islam Makhachev is currently gearing up for a tough test against Jack Della Maddalena at Madison Square Garden. If he can get past the talented Australian, he already knows who he wants to face next.

Speaking to Adin Ross, Makhachev explained his goal of defending the belt as many times as possible and even doing it against Kamaru Usman, who has an impressive record of title defences in the division.

“I defended my belt more than everybody,” Makhachev said. “I want to do something more, not just become champion. Second belt, defend, maybe more than Kamaru (Usman), and to become (part of) the Hall of Fame.”

READ MORE: Power Slap’s Sheena Bathory details her plan to stay healthy before MMA move

Kamaru Usman was on top of the UFC’s welterweight division until Leon Edwards knocked him out in 2022. Before that loss, he’d recorded five successful title defences with two wins over Colby Covington.