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