The key facts

  • Makhachev clarified the wording: the fight is not his last, but «one of the last»
  • He turned down UFC 336 on January 30, 2027 in Toronto
  • His next bout will come only after Ramadan, which ends on March 8

Makhachev clarified his remarks about ending his career

Reigning UFC welterweight champion and former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev confirmed that his next fight will be one of the last of his career, but stressed that he never called it his final one. «As for my career — I never said it would be my last fight. I said I would have one of my last bouts. Besides, after finishing my career I don't plan to leave the sport entirely. I will keep myself in shape. Life is a struggle. We will keep fighting», — Gazeta.Ru's correspondent quotes him as saying.

Timing of the next fight

The 35-year-old fighter declined to compete at UFC 336, which will take place on January 30, 2027 in Toronto, and said he will only have his next bout after Ramadan, which ends on March 8. At that event, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will contest the interim welterweight title — meaning that, without Makhachev, the championship picture in his division will temporarily be decided by other fighters. Thus, neither the exact date nor the opponent of Makhachev's next appearance has been named; only a rough window is known — after March 8, 2027.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's role

Earlier, according to a Gazeta.Ru publication, Makhachev spoke about how Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov led him to success in the UFC. The content of that statement is given in the available materials only as a mention, without details.