Could Islam Makhachev’s career be winding down?
Retirement incoming?
Islam Makhachev is the current reigning UFC Lightweight Champion and he’s set to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in January 2025 in what is a rematch between the two. But, could this be one of Islam’s last title defenses? Recently, Islam’s coach Javier Mendez spoke on Submission Radio to reveal that he thinks Islam could retire at 35 years old.
He’s going to probably do what Khabib [Nurmagomedov] did and retire at 35, well, Khabib did it a lot earlier, but I think 35 is the magic number for these guys. They have that in their head, that 35 is the cutoff point. Some will go over, but I think Islam is already set financially, he’s done really well with his money, so I think it will probably be lights out after 35.
Islam will make history if he’s successful against Arman, being the first lightweight champion in UFC history to successfully defend his title four times. At 33 years old right now, that would mean Islam has less than two more years to continue his winning streak.
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