Islam Makhachev Updates UFC Retirement Timeline Ahead of Prates-Morales Interim Title Fight

Islam Makhachev is apparently eyeing UFC retirement in the near future after delaying his defense of his UFC welterweight championship.

Makhachev, who was intended to fight at UFC 336 before an interim welterweight title bout between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales was scheduled instead, said in a Friday social media post his next fight will be "one of the last in my career."

"They say Prates is too dangerous for me and Morales is too good for me," Makhachev wrote. "So I want to face the best of them and prove to the world once again who is the best in world."

The UFC announced last week Prates would be taking on Morales for the interim belt this January rather than competing for a full championship against Makhachev.

UFC president and CEO Dana White said Makhachev was initially slated for the event at UFC 336 in Toronto, but Makhachev didn't want to fight until after Ramadan ends in early March, per CBS Sports' Brandon Wise.

Prates has since criticized Makhachev's decision in multiple social media posts, including one in which he told manager Ali Abdelaziz he planned to "finish [Makhachev's legacy]" when they eventually fought.

Makhachev competed in his lone fight of the year in August, when he defended his belt against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. He complained prior to the bout Morales was one of too many contenders waiting to challenge him for the welterweight title.

He will now be expected to face either Morales or Prates whenever the UFC can finalize his next title defense sometime in mid-2027.