Islam Makhachev is already looking ahead to his next challenge after adding another historic achievement to his résumé at UFC 330.
In the main event, Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry. While Garry had moments of success, Makhachev showcased his trademark blend of striking and grappling, even dropping the challenger with a head kick on his way to another championship win.
The victory was a significant one for Makhachev. Not only did he retain his welterweight crown, but he also surpassed Anderson Silva’s legendary record for the most consecutive wins in UFC history. Unsurprisingly, attention quickly shifted to one question: when will the champion return?
Speaking during the UFC 330 post-fight press conference, Islam Makhachev made it clear that he has no intention of taking an extended break.
“I feel happy,” Makhachev said. “Hard fight. It was a good fight, a good opponent. Now, it’s no more Anderson Silva. It’s Islam Makhachev’s record. I like this.”
The newly crowned record-holder revealed that he wants to compete again before Ramadan begins, which means fans could see him back inside the Octagon sooner rather than later.
“Bro, we have to fight before Ramadan — 100 percent,” Makhachev said. “Of course, January or before the end of the year, I have to fight. Because I am not 20-something anymore. I am 34 years old. I have to fight as soon as possible because I’m not cutting much weight. I don’t have any big injuries. I will maybe double-check my nose. That’s it.”
With no major injuries reported following UFC 330, Makhachev appears eager to stay active and continue building on his remarkable run at the top of the sport.
While the UFC has yet to determine his next opponent, names such as Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have already surfaced as potential contenders. Regardless of who stands across from him next, Makhachev remains focused on carrying forward the legacy built by his late coach and mentor, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
“We don’t talk about this, but we’re still the best team in the world,” Makhachev said. “We have a lot of killers in the gym who are watching our fights, who are watching our careers, and still training every day. Abdulmanap’s legacy is still growing. Too many fighters are going to come from our gym.”
The win at UFC 330 also marked a milestone for the famed Dagestani camp. Combined, Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Usman Nurmagomedov have now reached 100 career victories, further cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in MMA history.
For now, Islam Makhachev is enjoying another championship triumph. But if his comments are any indication, the welterweight king is already preparing for his next title defense—and he wants it sooner rather than later.
