Islam Makhachev made history at UFC 330, extending his Octagon winning streak to 17 fights and breaking Anderson Silva’s long-standing record. The Dagestani got the job done against Ian Garry in a grueling five-round battle to defend his welterweight title, with the judges scoring the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of the champion.
However, the outing was far from easy. Garry gave Makhachev one of his toughest tests yet, battering the champion and even busting him open. Many fans compared it to his brutal UFC 284 battle with Alexander Volkanovski. Still, the welterweight division is already lining up with challengers such as Carlos Prates and Michael Morales waiting for their shot.
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Prates has even confirmed that he recently signed a new UFC deal and has been guaranteed a title shot against Makhachev next. The Dagestani, meanwhile, is also eager to get back in the cage and wants to fight again before Ramadan, which falls in February 2027.
During a recent interview with Match TV, Makhachev said, “We’ll wait for the UFC to call. I think the ideal scenario would be to fight before Ramadan. Ramadan starts for us in February. A date before Ramadan would be ideal.”
The champion also revealed that he picked up some significant damage during his fight with Garry. Makhachev underwent several MRI scans afterward and will now focus on addressing his spinal issues. He said, “After the fight, I had three MRIs and had my entire spine checked.”
The 170-pound kingpin added, “There are a few small issues, so I’m working on them. It’s nothing serious. I’m just strengthening my spine.”
🚨 Islam Makhachev says he’s recovering from some minor injuries, but wants to fight before February 2027 👀
“After the fight, I had three MRIs and had my entire spine checked. There are a few small issues, so I’m working on them. It’s nothing serious. I’m just strengthening my spine.
We’ll wait for the UFC to call. I think the ideal scenario would be to fight before Ramadan. Ramadan starts for us in February. A date before Ramadan would be ideal.”
(via @MatchTV)
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 9, 2026
For the unversed, Ramadan is expected to begin around February 8, 2027, although the exact date will depend on the sighting of the moon. That gives the UFC a small window to book Makhachev’s next title defense between November 2026 and January 2027.
Prates has already called for a title fight with Makhachev at UFC 334, which takes place on November 14 at Madison Square Garden. A fight at UFC 335 in Las Vegas on December 12 could also make sense, especially if Makhachev is cleared to compete.
Getting Makhachev back in the cage before Ramadan would also leave the door open for him to fight twice in 2027. The reigning welterweight champion has typically competed twice a year in recent years, so an early title defense could allow him to return again in late summer or fall.
Makhachev has also previously mentioned his age as something he wants to consider as he looks at the next stage of his career. With that in mind, he could have even more reason to stay active while he’s still at the top. For now, though, the focus will be on getting healthy and figuring out who gets the next shot at the 170-pound crown.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
