Islam Makhachev says he “does not have much time” left in the UFC as the Russian prepares to make the first defence of his welterweight title.
The 34-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best MMA fighters of all time, faces Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Advertisement
The former lightweight champion made his UFC debut in 2015 and has gone on to build a glittering resume, winning 17 of his 18 fights in the promotion.
Should he beat 28-year-old Machado Garry at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, he will eclipse Anderson Silva’s 16 successive wins in the UFC – a record which has stood for 13 years.
Makhachev moved up in weight last year after a record-breaking fourth lightweight title defence and says he wants to compete more often as he enters the latter stages of his career.
“I’m not like young guy. Now it’s better for me to fight every three to four months,” Makhachev told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson.
Advertisement
“I understand I’m not 28 years old; I’m 34 right now. And I don’t have much time.
“Sometimes it’s not going like you want in the UFC. You want to fight after three or four months, but it’s not according to your wish.”
Critics have debated in the build-up to Makhachev’s bout with Machado Garry if his achievements have surpassed team-mate and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Former lightweight champion Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 having won all 29 of his fights, with a relentless pressuring style which overwhelmed his opponents.
Makhachev is not as aggressive in the octagon as Nurmagomedov but is a more well-rounded striker, while his only defeat came against Adriano Martins in 2015.
Advertisement
In beating Jack Della Maddalena last year to become a two-division champion, however, Makhachev ticked off a goal which Nurmagomedov never achieved.
Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White said Makhachev is “on the right path” to being regarded as the greatest fighter in UFC history.
Machado Garry comes into the fight having won 10 of his 11 fights in the UFC and will become the first Irish champion in the promotion since Conor McGregor, should he defeat Makhachev.
A win would also see him surpass McGregor as the Irishman in the promotion with the most wins in history.
Makhachev has been mostly dismissive of Machado Garry’s ability during fight week, but the Irishman says he’s preparing for the biggest test of his career.
Advertisement
“I have so much love and respect for Islam Makachev and his body of work that he has done in the UFC. There is no other fight I would want to prove that I’m the best in the world,” said Machado Garry.
“I get to fight the greatest lightweight of all time, a two-weight world champion, the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.
“That’s why the fight is so interesting. You have got one who focuses mainly on wrestling and grappling, the other who focuses on striking and anti-grappling. This is a fight for history. This is a fight for legacy.”
