ISLAM MAKHACHEV SAYS NEXT UFC FIGHT WILL BE AMONG HIS LAST

Islam Makhachev says his next UFC fight will be “one of the last” of his career. The Russian welterweight champion said he wants to face the winner of Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. They are scheduled to fight for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on 30 January. “My next fight is one of the last in my career,” Makhachev said. He added that he wanted to face the stronger of the two contenders and prove again that he is the best in the world.

Makhachev defended his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry in August, extending his UFC winning streak to 17 fights. That victory took him past Anderson Silva’s previous record for the longest winning streak in the promotion. Makhachev previously held the lightweight title, and his reported professional record stands at 29 wins in 30 fights. Prates has won his last three fights by knockout, while Morales has won all 19 of his professional bouts. Makhachev had rejected retirement rumours before his fight with Machado Garry, saying he wanted to keep fighting.

Dana White said Makhachev had initially been scheduled to defend his title against Prates in January. White said Makhachev chose to delay his next fight until after Ramadan in March. White said the delay led him to arrange an interim title fight between Prates and Morales. Makhachev has described their bout as a way to determine “the true worthy contender”. No date has been confirmed for his fight against the winner.