Islam Makhachev isn’t leaving any time soon.
Earlier this month, Makhachev made history, defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, setting the record for the most consecutive wins in UFC history. The win solidifies Makhachev as a historically great fighter; however, the performance was heavily criticized as Makhachev failed to finish Garry, and the fight was not especially exciting.
Speaking with reporters upon returning home to Dagestan (h/t Ushatayka), Makhachev admitted the bout was more difficult than he anticipated.
“The main thing is the win, but I planned and thought it would be easier,” Makhachev said. “It’s not that it didn’t go to plan; I just thought it would be a bit easier. But opponents are preparing, too, and every time it gets harder, because you can say the opponents are stronger, and the weight class is growing. So I also need to improve even more so that the fights are easier.”
The win puts Makhachev in rarefied air, but it also raises the question of what else is there for the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport to accomplish? Makhachev would be a no-brainer Hall of Famer if he retired tomorrow, leaving some fans to question how much longer he intends to stick around the sport. But though he doesn’t have any exact records in mind to chase down now, Makhachev says he’s still got plenty of fights ahead of him.
“Well, I wouldn’t call it unbreakable by any means,” Makhachev said of breaking the consecutive wins record. “There are fighters out there, not exactly breathing down my neck, but there are those that already have 10 wins [in a row]. I don’t know, maybe the title fights record? Though the record for title fights is quite large. I fought 10 bouts before getting the title, while the record holder fought for the title in his third or fourth fight.
“So I don’t know what records will come next, but in my weight class I have some very good title contenders. I think I have at least three more spectacular and very tough fights for me.”
Next up appears to be either Carlos Prates or Michael Morales, both of whom sat cageside for UFC 330, with Morales even serving as the backup fighter for the event.
