Makhachev Says His Next Fight Will Be 'One of the Last' of His Career

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has signalled that the end of his fighting career is approaching, writing on social media on Friday that his next fight will be one of the last of his career. The post immediately sharpened focus on the welterweight title picture, with Makhachev on course to face the winner of the interim title fight between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. Prates and Morales will contest the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto, with the winner expected to meet Makhachev in a unification bout at a future date. Prates had previously been in talks to face Makhachev on the January card, until the champion told the UFC he would not be ready to fight on that date — a decision that opened the door for the interim belt. Makhachev last fought at UFC 330 in August, when he defended the welterweight title by defeating Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision. The Dagestani star's comments will fuel debate about how many more times fans will see him in the octagon, and whether his remaining bouts will be spent defending his crown against the next generation of contenders. For Prates and Morales, the stakes in Toronto have now grown even larger: the winner will not only claim interim gold but also earn a date with a champion who believes his time in the sport is running short.