Islam Makhachev's mother has called for the UFC champion to retire after his win over Alexander Volkanovski.
Makhachev successfully defended his UFC lightweight title against pound-for-pound rival Volkanovski in Australia earlier this month. The Russian star's dominance has naturally continued his comparisons to mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov who has since taken an entire step back from MMA.
Makhachev has lost just one fight since joining the UFC and has now been linked with a series of bigger and better fights including a switch to 170lb where he could face Conor McGregor. However Makhachev has revealed his mother does not watch his fights and believes he should follow in the footsteps of former undefeated star Nurmagomedov.
"My mother doesn’t watch fights, not just my fights – fights in general,” Makhachev explained to UFC Russia. “She doesn’t like seeing people hit each other. When I came home there were a lot of people there. [My mother] said, ‘You’re a champion now. Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother.
"When will you listen to yours?' I told her Khabib defended his title and I need to do the same. It’s a hard topic for my mother. My father’s the opposite. He watches all the fights.” Nurmagomedov retired as an undefeated champion after defending his belt against Justin Gaethje in Abu Dhabi in 2020.
'The Eagle' fought without loss in his career and decided to turn his back on the promotion on the advice of his mother after the death of his father Abdulmanap. Nurmagomedov was heavily linked with a high-profile second meeting against bitter rival McGregor, but UFC president Dana White was unable to lure him back into the octagon.
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Similarly Makhachev may now only return for the biggest fights available which could include a rematch with Volkanovski whom he outpointed on foreign soil. He could also face contention from former rival Charles Oliveira or Beneil Dariush with the pair set to meet for a mandated shot at the title.
But the 31-year-old has hinted that he could avoid the fights altogether, and make a switch up in weight where he would find it easier to fight. "I'm really happy because I fight for something new," he told MMA Junkie. It's not just to defend the belt, I want to be the pound-for-pound best fighter so this is the best way.
"For me it's not just defences, this is my new target, to be No.1. I like this, which is why I've said many times I want to jump to other divisions. When you have a new target it's new motivation. Welterweight is going to happen one day, I'm going to call Dana and say 'hey Dana just put on your mind if you need somebody at 170lb I'm going to be ready'."
