Makhachev: Next UFC Defense Is One of His Last — SkimNews
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- Makhachev wrote on X that his next fight will be "one of the last" of his career, having not previously discussed the end of his career in detail; he is 29-1, 35, and the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
- Prates will face Morales for an interim UFC welterweight title on Jan. 30 in Toronto, with Makhachev expected to defend his belt against the winner.
- Dana White revealed that Makhachev had originally been slated to defend on Jan. 30 but decided to wait for the interim winner; Makhachev confirmed the choice and said the UFC should establish the "true, worthy contender."
- Makhachev said the UFC offered him Prates, who recently lost to Machado Garry, whom Makhachev beat; choosing Prates would leave Morales next in line but not fighting, so he wants the interim bout to identify the "real challenger."
- Makhachev will observe Ramadan in February and early March and return in the second quarter of 2027, after the Jan. 30 interim bout for the welterweight title.
- Makhachev recorded his first welterweight title defense against Machado Garry in August, producing his 17th consecutive UFC victory and the longest winning streak in UFC history.
- Makhachev won the welterweight belt by defeating Della Maddalena in November 2025 and captured his first UFC title by submitting Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022.
Why it matters: By deferring until the Jan. 30 Prates-Morales interim resolves, Makhachev is rejecting the immediate Prates offer and allowing Morales to fight rather than wait. His Ramadan schedule puts his return in the second quarter of 2027, extending the interval before the next welterweight title defense against the "real challenger."
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