When Should Islam Makhachev Retire?

Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his take on when Islam Makhachev may retire from MMA.

Makhachev is the former UFC Lightweight Champion, who defended the belt four times, before moving up to welterweight. He is expected to face off against UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena, with suggestions the fight will take place in November at UFC 322. A win over Maddalena gives Islam a belt in a second weight class, increasing the calls for him to face the lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. At 33, there would not be too many further accomplishments for him to achieve, as Khabib gave his take on Islam’s future.

“Islam maybe, my honest opinion, one and a half, two years because [his] age [in] October is going to be 34. Nobody is going to be [the] same. When time comes, they don’t ask what’s your name… When you become 35, you need to stop doing this because [you should] leave this sport for young guys. When you become 35 and you don’t finish, somebody is going to finish you. Why? It’s better to finish. After 35, you’re never going to be the same. People can talk whatever they want, when you’re past your prime, you [are] going to fight only for money,” Khabib said 

The Challenge

Khabib’s comments do hold some weight. Nurmagomedov’s own career serves as the ultimate blueprint for retiring at the peak. He walked away from the sport undefeated at 29-0. While he made a promise to his mother to retire after his father’s passing, Khabib walked away when there were still big fights out there such as the Conor McGregor rematch. 

Islam, at 33, is at a crossroads. He has already dominated the lightweight division, successfully defending his title multiple times. Now, he’s moving up in weight to challenge for a second belt against Jack Della Maddalena. If he wins, he will have conquered two weight classes, a feat that would put him in the conversation for the greatest of all time.

Once Islam Makhachev potentially secures the welterweight title, the question becomes, “What’s left to achieve?” While a superfight with the new lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, is a compelling prospect, it might be the only true remaining challenge. After that, he would be facing a series of fights against challengers he’s already beaten or new contenders who are simply not on his level.