Islam Makhachev says he will fight many more years after UFC 330

Islam Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight championship with a decision win over Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event. The victory took his record to 29-1 and extended his winning run to 17 fights, moving him past Anderson Silva’s previous mark.

Makhachev, competing at 170 pounds, said the bout showed that he can handle the division but also highlighted the need to add more weight. He described Garry as one of the more difficult opponents of his career, placing the fight among his top three in terms of challenge.

The champion pointed to his two meetings with Alexander Volkanovski as especially demanding. He recalled Volkanovski’s pressure and the atmosphere around their first fight, while also acknowledging Garry’s ability to keep advancing throughout the contest.

Makhachev said he intends to stay at welterweight and continue fighting for several more years. At 34, he wants another bout before Ramadan and suggested that January or the end of the year could provide a suitable window for his next appearance.

He also addressed the contenders shown during the UFC 330 broadcast, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales. Makhachev said he had no preference between them and included Shavkat Rakhmonov among the fighters he considers serious threats in the division. Their presence, he said, gives him greater motivation to train.

Makhachev further rejected the idea that he had turned down a proposed fight with Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. He said he had agreed to compete at the White House event and had not been injured, but the bout did not happen. He added that he currently has no major injury and only needs to have his nose checked before planning his return.