Islam Makhachev is set to take on Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294. The Russian fighter will defend his UFC Lightweight title against the UFC Featherweight champion who will move up to face him.
Makhachev was scheduled to face Charles Oliviera in Abu Dhabi for the event. However, Oliviera had to pull out due to an injury. Volkanovski stepped in at very short notice to book a rematch of their fight from UFC 284. Makhachev’s only title defense was in February against Volkanovski. He won the bout via a unanimous decision although many thought Volkanovski was the better fighter on the night.
Breaking: Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight title in a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294, UFC announced on Tuesday.
Charles Oliveira, originally slated for the bout vs. Makhachev, pulled out due to an injury. pic.twitter.com/y7Y2poBf0W
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 11, 2023
Many fans think that the Aussie fighter will pull off his revenge. However, fans, on the other hand, are speculating if this is Makhachev’s last fight. Let’s find out if that is the truth.
Is Islam Makhachev retiring at UFC 294? It is highly likely that he does not do so. Although there will be speculations about Makhachev’s retirement soon, UFC 294 still seems too early. The 31-year-old’s mother, however, is not looking forward to a long career.
In an interview with Red Corner MMA before his first title defense, Makhachev said, “My mother doesn’t watch fights. Not just my fights – fights in general. She doesn’t like seeing people hit each other.
When I came home, there were a lot of people there. She said, ‘You’re champion now. Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother. When will you listen to yours?'”I told her Khabib defended his title, and I need to do the same. It’s a hard topic for my mother. My father’s the opposite. He watches all the fights.”
He gave his mother the example of Khabib Nurmagomedov. The UFC legend defended his title and retired at a relatively early age with an undefeated record.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Islam Makhachev will retire after a few more fights
Khabib retired after defending his UFC Lightweight title three times. His mother asked him to stop fighting after the death of his father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. Khabib retired after defeating Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 with an extraordinary record of 29-0.
As of now, Makachev also owns an impressive record of 24-1. After he won the Lightweight title, Khabib claimed that to retire at the top, Makhachev had to defend his title five to six times in the next three years.
Khabib said, “I think he needs at least five [title defenses], maybe six. That would be ideal. Six defenses, that’s six fights and three years. Then it’s possible that the sport leaves him because nobody can stay on top forever.” (h/t via MMA Fighting)
If Makhachev does go down the exact road Khabib went, he still has another title defense left after UFC 294. If he goes by the way Khabib said he should go, he is here to stay for a while. However, a lot depends on his title defense success as well. Whatever the path Makhachev chooses, it is unlikely that he take up retirement at UFC 294.