Islam Makhachev says he “does not have much time” left in the UFC as the Russian prepares to make the first defence of his welterweight title.
The 34-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best MMA fighters of all time, faces Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The former lightweight champion made his UFC debut in 2015 and has gone on to build a glittering resume, winning 17 of his 18 fights in the promotion.
Should he beat 28-year-old Machado Garry at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, he will eclipse Anderson Silva’s 16 successive wins in the UFC – a record which has stood for 13 years.
Makhachev moved up in weight last year after a record-breaking fourth lightweight title defence and says he wants to compete more often as he enters the latter stages of his career.
“I’m not like young guy. Now it’s better for me to fight every three to four months,” Makhachev told UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson.
“I understand I’m not 28 years old; I’m 34 right now. And I don’t have much time.
“Sometimes it’s not going like you want in the UFC. You want to fight after three or four months, but it’s not according to your wish.”
Critics have debated in the build-up to Makhachev’s bout with Machado Garry if his achievements have surpassed team-mate and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Former lightweight champion Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 having won all 29 of his fights, with a relentless pressuring style which overwhelmed his opponents.
Makhachev is not as aggressive in the octagon as Nurmagomedov but is a more well-rounded striker, while his only defeat came against Adriano Martins in 2015.
In beating Jack Della Maddalena last year to become a two-division champion, however, Makhachev ticked off a goal which Nurmagomedov never achieved.
Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White said Makhachev is “on the right path” to being regarded as the greatest fighter in UFC history.