Coach reveals Islam Makhachev will only fight three more times in UFC

Coach Islam Makhachev, Javier Mendez, has revealed that the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter will likely only fight three more times in the octagon — a shocking statement for the MMA world.

“I estimate we’ll see Islam maybe three more fights,” Mendez told Submission Radio.

Makhachev’s next fight is against welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena — an opportunity to add another championship belt to his UFC collection.

While the main focus is on the fight against Maddalena, Mendez doesn’t rule out Makhachev’s return to lightweight — particularly to face the challenge from Ilia Topuria who has expressed his ambition to defeat the champion.