Khabib Nurmagomedov made the decision to retire while he was still on top of the UFC’s lightweight division.
Since then, the former undefeated champion has spoken many times about advising fighters to walk away early before they’re past their best.
One fighter who clearly isn’t at that stage yet is another former 155 pound champion, Islam Makhachev, who Khabib recently stated will return at UFC 322 in New York.
Makhachev may have recently lost his spot at the top of the pound-for-pound ladder but his upcoming move to welterweight could see him quickly reclaim this if he’s successful.
His coach, Javier Mendez, previously suggested that Makhachev may have three fights left in him but now, ‘The Eagle’ has given his thoughts on the matter.
- LATEST NEWS: Conor McGregor’s longtime teammate details ‘wrong mindset’ UFC superstar had for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes that Islam Makhachev has two years left at most
In a recent press conference event where he spoke on stage, Khabib Nurmagomedov once again touched on the subject of fighters retiring when the time is right.
While Islam Makhachev could retire today after already accomplishing so much in his career, there’s still a feeling that he could go on to produce some legacy defining wins.
Fans were disappointed to not see him stay at lightweight to face Ilia Topuria and he’s set to take on a new challenge in the coming months when moving up to welterweight.
Makhachev does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon but Nurmagomedov believes that fighters should leave before this happens.
In a video originally taken from Ushatayka, ‘The Eagle’ claimed that he believes Makhachev will continue fighting for another year and a half to two years, which would seemingly align with Javier Mendez’s comments about him competing three more times.
Nurmagomedov specifically drew attention to the fact that by that time, he will be 35, which is when he believes fighters should step away.
“Islam maybe, my honest opinion, one and a half, two years because [his] age [in] October is going to be 34. Nobody is going to be [the] same. When time comes, they don’t ask what’s your name… When you become 35, you need to stop doing this because [you should] leave this sport for young guys.
“When you become 35 and you don’t finish, somebody is going to finish you. Why? It’s better to finish. After 35, you’re never going to be the same. People can talk whatever they want, when you’re past your prime, you [are] going to fight only for money.”
- LATEST NEWS: Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals the warning he sent to champion teammate following devastating KO of a former UFC rival
Mapping out Islam Makhachev’s next three fights
If Khabib Nurmagomedov is right and Islam Makhachev has two years left at most, it seems realistic that he will fight three more times.
Of course, up next is his welterweight move where he will face Jack Della Maddalena, with UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden making a lot of sense.
The Ilia Topuria matchup is another one that seems likely to happen at some stage, though this would obviously depend on how both men do in their next outings and whether they have clear challengers to face instead.
In an ideal scenario to make the fight as big as possible, Topuria would remain the lightweight champion while Makhachev wins the 170 pound title and defends it before they finally face off.
Makhachev may only have a handful of fights left but they could end up being the matchups that elevate him from being a great fighter to one of the best to ever do it.