Islam Makhachev’s Final 2-3 Fights: 5 Potential Matchups to Consider
Islam Makhachev has already announced that his next fight could be one of the final bouts of his career. The reigning UFC welterweight champion is now expected to return after Ramadan 2027.
Before that, at UFC 336, Carlos Prates will fight Michael Morales for the interim 170-pound strap. When Makhachev returns, he will, by law, face the newly crowned interim champion in a title unification bout.
Makhachev has already surpassed Anderson Silva’s record at UFC 330 and now holds the longest winning streak in the company’s history. He has also defended his 155-pound strap four times and is also a two-division champion.
With two or three fights potentially remaining in his career after facing the winner of Prates vs. Morales in 2027, the Dagestani wrestling maestro still has some intriguing options on the table.
1) Islam Makhachev vs. Sean Strickland
Islam Makhachev can move up to middleweight and chase three-division glory after beating the winner of Prates vs. Morales. Sean Strickland is currently the middleweight champion. If “Tarzan” still holds the belt when Makhachev makes the move up, the American would absolutely love to fight the Russian phenom, given his well-documented hostility toward Russian & Muslim fighters.
2) Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor
Islam Makhachev, his team, and coach Javier Mendez love the idea of reigniting the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. They would welcome a potential showdown with McGregor, who has just one fight remaining on his UFC contract. “The Notorious” is targeting a return next year during International Fight Week once his knee has fully healed.
For the Irishman’s final fight, the UFC will look to generate the biggest possible revenue, and few matchups could be as big as Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor.
3) Islam Makhachev vs. Khamzat Chimaev
This matchup may not make much sense for Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev, but it would certainly excite fans. Makhachev and Chimaev consider each other brothers because of their Dagestani and Chechen ties. But a potential showdown could finally settle who the best wrestler in the UFC is.
4) Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Islam Makhachev defeated Arman Tsarukyan on the latter’s UFC debut. The two were later scheduled to face each other again at UFC 311 in 2025, when Makhachev was still the lightweight champion. However, Tsarukyan was forced to withdraw due to a hernia, and the rematch never occurred.
But it’s never too late, and even in 2027, fans would love to finally see the blockbuster rematch they missed out on in 2025.
5) Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria
Lastly, there is Ilia Topuria. Following Topuria’s loss to Justin Gaethje at the White House, fans have lost interest in a potential showdown with Makhachev. However, the matchup could still generate significant interest and sell well.
Topuria’s devastating knockout power vs. Makhachev’s elite wrestling, judo, and suffocating ground pressure.
