Islam Makhachev could be one win away from walking away from mixed martial arts, at least according to Joe Rogan.
The UFC commentator recently suggested that Makhachev could retire immediately after UFC 330 if he successfully defends his welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry. The highly anticipated main event takes place Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with Makhachev entering as the clear favorite.
Rogan’s prediction comes at a fascinating point in Makhachev’s career. The Russian has already won UFC championships in two weight classes and owns a professional record of 28 wins and one loss. His only defeat came in 2015, while his recent run has established him as the UFC’s number one pound for pound fighter.
Joe Rogan sees a Khabib style retirement
Speaking on the JRE MMA Show with former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, Rogan explained why he believes Makhachev could consider retirement after UFC 330.
Rogan pointed to Makhachev’s achievements across two divisions and suggested that a dominant victory over Garry, particularly a submission, could provide the perfect moment to step away.
The scenario would closely resemble the retirement of Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib left professional competition undefeated and later focused heavily on coaching and developing fighters. Rogan believes Makhachev could make a similar transition if he decides that he has accomplished enough inside the Octagon.
However, there is currently no confirmation that Makhachev intends to retire after UFC 330.
The possibility remains speculation from Rogan rather than an announcement from the champion.
Makhachev has already made history
There is a clear reason why retirement talk has emerged around Makhachev despite the absence of any official indication that he plans to leave the sport.
The Russian has already captured UFC gold at lightweight and welterweight. His move to 170 pounds came after a dominant reign at lightweight, and he defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become a two division champion.
Makhachev enters UFC 330 with a 28 and 1 record and a win streak that matches Anderson Silva’s UFC record. A victory over Garry would give him an opportunity to establish a new promotional record for consecutive victories.
That makes Saturday’s fight important for more than just the welterweight championship.
A successful defense would add another major achievement to a résumé that already includes championships in two divisions and one of the longest winning runs in UFC history.
Ian Machado Garry has different plans
While Joe Rogan is looking ahead to a potential Makhachev retirement, Ian Machado Garry is focused on taking the champion’s belt.
Garry enters the fight with a 17 and 1 professional record and 10 UFC victories. This will be his first UFC title opportunity, and a victory would represent the biggest achievement of his career.
The Irish contender has openly predicted a knockout victory and believes his striking can create problems for Makhachev.
Garry has described the matchup as an elite striker versus grappler contest. His objective is straightforward. He needs to keep the fight standing, while Makhachev will likely look to use his wrestling and grappling to take control of the contest.
Makhachev, meanwhile, has made it clear that he intends to humble his challenger. The champion has acknowledged Garry’s abilities but believes the Irishman talks too much ahead of the fight.
What happens if Makhachev retires?
If Makhachev does decide to walk away after UFC 330, the UFC would immediately face the task of finding a new welterweight champion.
Joe Rogan suggested Michael Morales and Carlos Prates as potential candidates for a vacant title fight. Both fighters have established themselves as dangerous contenders in the division, making the possibility of a championship matchup between them an intriguing one.
The situation would change dramatically if Garry defeats Makhachev, however. In that case, the Irishman would become the new welterweight champion and Makhachev’s retirement would no longer determine the future of the division.
Garry has also acknowledged Carlos Prates as a deserving contender for the next title opportunity. The two previously fought in April 2025, with Garry winning that matchup.
Retirement remains only speculation
Despite Joe Rogan’s comments, there is no confirmed indication that Islam Makhachev plans to retire after UFC 330.
The champion remains focused on his title defense, while Garry is preparing for the biggest fight of his career. Makhachev’s recent career trajectory also suggests that he still has significant objectives in front of him.
For now, Rogan’s prediction adds another layer of intrigue to an already important UFC 330 main event.
Makhachev could leave Philadelphia as a two division champion with another successful title defense and a new UFC winning streak record. He could also lose his welterweight championship to a determined challenger looking to make history.
And if Rogan’s prediction somehow proves correct, Makhachev could walk away from the sport immediately after adding another major achievement to an already remarkable career.
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