Islam Makhachev has somewhat shut down talks that he may be retiring from the sport sooner rather than later.
Earlier this year, it was shockingly announced by UFC boss Dana White that Islam Makhachev had vacated his lightweight title in pursuit of a welterweight title shot against Jack Della Maddalena.
More recently, Islam Makhachev‘s teammate Umar Nurmagomedov claimed that the Russian was practically forced to give up his lightweight title instead of holding onto it in pursuit of becoming a simultaneous double champion.
Both Della Maddalena and Makhachev are hopeful that their highly anticipated clash will be scheduled for near the end of the year, with October being the targeted date.
Makhachev issues response to retirement critics
Despite being just a few months out from his potential welterweight title fight opportunity, the MMA world was dealt a shock earlier this week when Makhachev’s coach claimed that the Russian will likely retire after a few more fights.
And with that, his longtime teammate Daniel Cormier claimed that Makhachev’s retirement timeline highlights a ‘very sad’ time in MMA where another dominant champion may retire while in their peak.
However, with the news regarding Makhachev’s potential retirement taking over the internet, the 33-year-old has issued a six-word response to the claims.
“Double champ. Everything is just beginning,” Makhachev stated in a post on X.
On June 28 at UFC 317, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will clash for Makhachev’s vacant lightweight title, and the Russian seemingly still has eyes on that fight.
He and Topuria have an ongoing feud and if ‘El Matador’ successfully wins the 155lb strap on June 28, Makhachev will likely move back down following his fight against Della Maddalena to finally fight the Spaniard.
Islam Makhachev’s manager shuts down imminent retirement
Makhachev’s outspoken manager Ali Abdelaziz has also shut down talks that the 33-year-old may be retiring sooner rather than later.
“Islam Makhachev is not thinking about retirement. At least three more years of high-level competition,” Abdelaziz said in a post on X.
Although the manager has claimed Makhachev will fight for at least three more years, the pound-for-pound number one isn’t exactly the most active of fighters, making it unclear how many more fights he will actually have in the sport.