Islam Makhachev targets early 2027 for next UFC title fight

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Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 | Sarah Stier, Getty Images

Islam Makhachev hopes fans won’t have to wait too long to see him fight again.

The reigning UFC welterweight champion—and No. 1 fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings—has fought just once in 2026 so far, recording another title defense with a win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August. Makhachev now holds the record for most consecutive UFC wins at 17, and he has successfully defended titles at 170 and 155 pounds.

Though he is eager to return to action soon, Makhachev told Match TV he has a few nagging injuries that need to heal up first.

“After the fight, I had three MRIs and had my entire spine checked,” Makhachev said (Russian-to-English translation via Championship Rounds). “There are a few small issues, so I’m working on them. It’s nothing serious. I’m just strengthening my spine.”

Makhachev has had to make a few physical adjustments since moving up from lightweight, where he set the record for most successful UFC title defenses in that division with four. Any physical issues he’s been dealing with haven’t held him back as he he scored a dominant decision win over Jack Della Maddalena to become champion before defeating Garry.

The devout Muslim champion has typically structured his fight schedule around Ramadan and if everything works out, Makhachev could be back in early 2027.

“We’ll wait for the UFC to call,” Makhachev said. “I think the ideal scenario would be to fight before Ramadan. Ramadan starts for us in February. A date before Ramadan would be ideal.”