Makhachev Says He's Got 'At Least 3' Big Fights Left After UFC 330 Record

Islam Makhachev walked out of UFC 330 in Philadelphia with the single most valuable line on any active fighter's résumé: the record for most consecutive wins in UFC history. He got there by defending his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry — and he's already telling anyone who'll listen that he isn't finished. Back home in Dagestan, Makhachev said he figures he's got at least three more spectacular, genuinely hard fights ahead of him.

The record was the easy part to sell. The performance wasn't. Makhachev couldn't put Garry away over five rounds, and the fight drew a fair amount of criticism for being more grind than highlight reel. Makhachev didn't dodge that. He said the win was the main thing, but he'd expected an easier night — and admitted his opponents keep getting better as he climbs the weight ladder.

No Records Left to Obsess Over

Here's the strange spot Makhachev is in: he'd be a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he retired this afternoon. So when the streak record lands in your lap, what's actually left to chase? Makhachev shrugged at the idea that his win streak is untouchable, pointing out there are fighters already sitting on 10-fight runs. He floated the title-fight record as a possibility, then noted the problem — he needed 10 bouts just to earn his first title shot, while the record holder got there in his third or fourth.

That's an honest read from a man who's run out of obvious mountains. The answer, for now, is just to keep fighting the best welterweights in front of him and let the legacy compound on its own.

Prates or Morales Is Next

The two names in the frame both had cageside seats at UFC 330 — a not-so-subtle bit of matchmaking theater. Carlos Prates sits at No. 2 in the division and arrives red-hot, having torched Jack Della Maddalena with elbows in the third round; his 24-7 record includes 19 knockouts, which tells you exactly what he's bringing. Michael Morales, meanwhile, served as the backup fighter for the event, meaning he was weight-ready and one phone call from stepping in.

Either fight solves Makhachev's motivation problem in a hurry. Prates in particular is the kind of finisher who could turn a Makhachev title defense into the fireworks show the Garry fight wasn't. Whatever comes next, the champ has made it clear the retirement chatter is premature — he's planning to make the division earn every inch.