People around Islam Makhachev might have certain ideas about the timeline for his retirement from MMA, but he will be the one to make the final call. One of his longtime coaches, Javier Mendez of ...

Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) reacts after defeating Renato Moicano (blue gloves) in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome.

Islam Makhachev thinks former opponent Dustin Poirier will end his career on a high at UFC 318. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) submitted Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in a Fight of the Year ...

One of those losses came to then lightweight champion Makhachev, who submitted Poirier in the final round of their title fight at UFC 302 last summer. Poirier drew blood from Makhachev and earned the ...

Cormier thinks Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) still has plenty of fight left in him, but is also aware that he likely won't go back on his word if that indeed is the case.