Islam Makhachev: UFC Champion Takes Time to Heal

Islam Makhachev is used to moving forward. Right now, he has to stand still.

The reigning UFC welterweight champion and No. 1 fighter in the MMA Fighting pound-for-pound rankings has fought just once in 2026, turning back Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August to extend his remarkable winning streak to 17 straight in the promotion — the longest run in UFC history. He has now defended titles at both 170 and 155 pounds, a rare double reign that underlines his grip on the sport.

Yet even the most dominant champion has to listen to his body.

Speaking to Match TV, Makhachev revealed that a cluster of nagging issues has forced him to hit pause, at least briefly, on his relentless schedule.

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

The move up from lightweight has demanded subtle but significant changes. At 155 pounds, Makhachev set the division record with four successful title defenses, imposing a suffocating style that broke contenders one after another. At welterweight, he’s carried that same control and composure into a bigger, more physical division, adjusting his frame and training to handle naturally larger opponents.

Any discomfort he’s been carrying hasn’t shown under the lights. He dominated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight belt, then outclassed Garry over five rounds to cement his status as the man to beat at 170.

But behind the scenes, the champion is recalibrating. Three MRIs. A full spinal check. Targeted work to make sure those “small issues” stay small.

For Makhachev, the calendar is always built around more than just fight dates. A devout Muslim, he traditionally structures his training and competition schedule around Ramadan, and the next stretch is already on his mind.

“We’ll wait for the UFC to call,” he 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.”

That points to an early 2027 return, assuming the medical green light and the right offer from the UFC matchmakers. The opponent, the venue, the stakes — all of that can wait.

The champion’s priority, for once, is simple: heal, rebuild, and be ready when the phone rings.