Coach Reveals Islam Makhachev’s Potential Career Timeline

Javier Mendez seems to think Islam Makhachev’s remaining time in in mixed martial arts could be limited. 

Makhachev recently vacated his lightweight title and moved up to welterweight. He has been promised the next welterweight title shot against Jack Della Maddalena, although a date is yet to be decided. There has already been speculation about whether Makhachev will defend his welterweight title if he wins or move back to lightweight. 

Mendez’s recent revelation makes Makhachev’s career trajectory even more confusing. According to the American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Makhachev will fight only twice more after facing Maddalena.

“I’m anticipating we’ll see him for hopefully maybe another three fights total,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “Let’s see who’s in the works on that. Let’s say if we get by JDM, which is, I don’t really want to say we’re gonna get by him because he’s a tough customer. I’m gonna be positive in the fact that we’re gonna win but it’s hard to overlook JDM.

Makhachev is unbeaten in 15 straight outings since his lone career loss in his sophomore UFC outing against Adriano Moraes. Makhachev won the title against Charles Oliveira in 2022 and defended it four times, the most in the history of the division, before moving up. While Makhachev is just 33 years old, Dagestani champs are no stranger to retiring while in their prime. Makhachev’s teammate, mentor and predecessor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, retired undefeated as the champ at 32 years of age, though that was influenced by the death of his father, the late Abdulmanap. 

Makhachev had discussed retirement with Demetrious Johnson when “Mighty Mouse” went to their camp ahead of UFC 311. Makhachev said there is a throng of young talent on their team who try to prove a point by going toe to toe against the lightweight champ. For the Dagestani legend, retirement comes when he is unable to deny those guys any longer.