Islam Makhachev does not appear ready to slow down.

The UFC welterweight champion has revealed that he believes at least three more difficult and exciting fights are waiting for him as he continues building his legacy at 170 pounds. The comments came after his latest championship defense, a hard-fought unanimous decision over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.

Makhachev entered 2026 with a new challenge ahead of him after moving up from lightweight and capturing a second UFC championship. He has now successfully defended that welterweight title and extended his remarkable UFC winning streak to 17 consecutive victories.

The latest victory also moved Makhachev ahead of Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history.

Despite that historic achievement, Makhachev’s most recent performance was not without criticism.

His fight with Garry went the full five rounds, and although Makhachev controlled large portions of the contest, he did not secure the finish many fans expected. That experience appears to have reinforced the champion’s belief that the welterweight division remains full of dangerous challenges.

Islam Makhachev Wants More Challenges

Makhachev’s latest comments offer a clear indication that retirement is not currently his priority.

According to MMA Fighting, the champion said he has at least three more very difficult and exciting fights ahead of him. The statement is significant because speculation about how long Makhachev intends to continue competing has followed him since he moved to welterweight.

Rather than focusing exclusively on records, however, Makhachev appears increasingly interested in the quality of his opponents.

The 34-year-old already owns one of the most impressive résumés in modern UFC history. He previously dominated the lightweight division, won the championship in 2022 and successfully defended it four times before vacating the belt and moving to welterweight.

Now, the challenge is different.

At 170 pounds, Makhachev is competing against larger athletes with different physical attributes. His victory over Jack Della Maddalena gave him a second UFC championship, but the fight with Garry demonstrated that his new division will not simply be another chapter of dominance.

UFC 330 Tested the Champion

Makhachev’s victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 was historic, but it was also one of his more demanding recent contests.

The official UFC result shows Makhachev winning by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47. The victory allowed him to retain the welterweight championship.

Garry’s height, movement and striking presented problems that Makhachev had to solve over five rounds.

The champion eventually relied on his wrestling and control game to secure the result. In the fifth round, he was able to take Garry down and take his back, helping eliminate any uncertainty surrounding the judges’ scorecards.

The performance was not the dominant finish some expected, but it demonstrated another important part of Makhachev’s development.

He was able to win a difficult fight without abandoning the fundamentals that have made him one of the UFC’s most successful champions.

The Welterweight Division Is Getting Dangerous

One reason Makhachev expects more difficult fights is the depth of the welterweight division.

The UFC identified several established and emerging contenders around the championship picture, including Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Kamaru Usman, Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena and Sean Brady.

That creates several potential matchups for the champion.

Makhachev has already indicated that he is not particularly interested in choosing opponents based on convenience. Following his victory over Garry, he questioned why Carlos Prates and Michael Morales did not face each other at UFC 330 to determine the next title challenger.

The message was straightforward: Makhachev is willing to fight whoever the UFC puts in front of him.

What matters most is getting another meaningful opponent.

Carlos Prates Could Be a Major Threat

Carlos Prates is one of the names that continues to circulate around Makhachev’s future.

Prates has developed a reputation as a dangerous striker and has already established himself as a serious welterweight contender. His inclusion in the championship conversation makes sense because Makhachev’s wrestling-heavy style would face a completely different test against a fighter capable of producing fight-changing damage on the feet.

The matchup would also create a compelling stylistic contrast.

Makhachev’s ability to close distance, secure takedowns and control opponents would be tested against Prates’ striking. For the Brazilian contender, the challenge would be keeping the fight at range and preventing the champion from turning the contest into a grappling battle.

Makhachev has already shown that he can compete successfully against elite strikers.

However, every new opponent creates different problems.

That is precisely why the champion’s comments about having three more difficult fights are so interesting.

Michael Morales Is Another Option

Michael Morales is another potential future challenger.

Morales was positioned as the backup fighter for UFC 330 and was therefore closely connected to the Makhachev-Garry championship matchup. His presence demonstrated how seriously the UFC views the unbeaten contender’s position in the division.

Makhachev has also specifically mentioned Morales when discussing the next generation of welterweight challengers.

The Ecuadorian brings physical size, athleticism and an increasingly dangerous striking game. A fight between Morales and Makhachev would therefore present another fascinating test for the champion.

There is also a practical question.

If Morales can secure another major victory, the UFC could have a strong case for matching him directly with Makhachev. Alternatively, the promotion could first book Morales against another top contender to establish a clear No. 1 challenger.

Either route could eventually lead to a championship fight.

Makhachev’s Historic Winning Streak

The three-fight statement comes at a remarkable moment in Makhachev’s career.

His win over Garry gave him his 17th consecutive UFC victory, breaking Anderson Silva’s previous record of 16.

That record has added another major achievement to a résumé that already includes championships in two weight divisions.

Makhachev first became UFC lightweight champion by defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022. He subsequently defended the title against Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano before eventually moving up in weight.

His move to welterweight has therefore not been a retirement tour or a late-career experiment.

Instead, it has become another championship chapter.

He defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025 to become a two-division champion. He then defended the welterweight belt against Garry at UFC 330.

That level of success explains why Makhachev is now firmly part of the UFC’s greatest-of-all-time conversation.

The GOAT Debate Is Getting Louder

Makhachev’s latest achievement has intensified debate over his place among the greatest fighters in UFC history.

The UFC itself has highlighted his case, noting that he became the 11th individual fighter to win UFC championships in two weight classes.

The argument is not simply based on his number of victories.

Makhachev has spent years defeating elite competition while maintaining a remarkably consistent style. His wrestling, positional control, submission ability and increasingly effective striking have made him one of the hardest fighters in the sport to defeat.

The biggest question is longevity.

If Makhachev truly has several more major fights ahead of him, additional championship victories could significantly strengthen his historical standing.

That may explain why the champion does not appear eager to walk away.

Why Three More Fights Matter

Three more fights could dramatically change Makhachev’s legacy.

If he wins all three, particularly if some of those victories come against elite contenders, the conversation surrounding his career could become even more difficult to ignore.

He could potentially add multiple welterweight title defenses to his résumé while extending his UFC winning streak well beyond the current record.

However, the road will not be easy.

Welterweight is a division filled with athletes who possess significant size, power and technical skill. Makhachev’s move up in weight means he can no longer rely on the same physical advantages he sometimes enjoyed at lightweight.

The Garry fight illustrated that reality.

Makhachev remained the superior grappler, but Garry’s size and movement forced the champion to work for the victory. Future opponents could present even greater challenges.

Makhachev Is Not Chasing Easy Fights

Perhaps the most important part of Makhachev’s comments is his description of the fights as difficult and exciting.

That suggests he understands the value of meaningful competition at this stage of his career.

Champions often face pressure to protect their records, especially after becoming established stars. Makhachev appears to be taking the opposite approach.

He has already moved up a division to challenge himself.

Now he is looking at a welterweight class containing multiple legitimate contenders.

The next three fights could therefore become a defining portion of his career.

What Could Happen Next?

The UFC has several options.

A matchup with Carlos Prates would offer a classic wrestler-versus-striker storyline. A fight against Michael Morales would pit Makhachev against a younger, physically imposing contender with considerable upside.

There are also other names in the division who could enter the championship picture.

Makhachev himself has made it clear that he does not appear overly concerned with choosing between the leading contenders. His preference is simply to keep competing and face whoever emerges.

That approach could make the next stage of his career particularly interesting.

Instead of one obvious opponent, the UFC has a collection of possible challengers.

The Champion Still Has Plenty to Prove

It may seem strange to say that a fighter with 17 consecutive UFC wins still has something to prove.

Yet Makhachev’s move to welterweight has created a new test.

At lightweight, he established himself as one of the division’s defining champions. At welterweight, he is now attempting to demonstrate that his dominance can continue against larger opponents.

His victory over Della Maddalena showed that he can win a championship at 170 pounds.

His victory over Garry showed that he can survive a difficult title defense.

The next challenge is consistency.

Can Makhachev continue defending the belt against the best welterweights in the world?

If he can, the argument for his place among the UFC’s greatest fighters will become increasingly difficult to dismiss.

Bottom Line

Islam Makhachev appears to have no immediate plans to step away from MMA.

After defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 and extending his UFC winning streak to a record 17 victories, the welterweight champion says he has at least three more difficult and exciting fights waiting for him.

Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are among the most intriguing potential opponents, while the depth of the welterweight division guarantees that Makhachev will have no shortage of challengers.

The champion has already conquered lightweight and captured a second belt at welterweight.

Now, he has an opportunity to build an even greater legacy.

If those next three fights happen, they could determine whether Makhachev is remembered simply as one of the UFC’s dominant champions—or as one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever produced.

Image ALT Text

Islam Makhachev celebrating after UFC welterweight title defense

Suggested Image Caption

Islam Makhachev remains UFC welterweight champion after defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.

Suggested External Sources

• MMA Fighting — Original report
• UFC — Islam Makhachev profile and statistics
• UFC — UFC 330 official results

Suggested Internal Links

Use relevant pages from your website for:

• UFC 330 results
• Islam Makhachev news
• UFC welterweight rankings
• Carlos Prates news
• Michael Morales news
• UFC upcoming fights

Get smarter responses, upload files and images, and more.

Log in

Sign up for free