Islam Makhachev: Preparing for Fight Before Ramadan

Islam Makhachev has never been a man who enjoys waiting around.

The UFC welterweight champion, currently sitting atop the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, has fought just once in 2026, yet continues to stretch his legacy. His dominant win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in August not only preserved his title, it pushed him into rare air: a record 17 consecutive UFC victories, and successful championship runs at both 170 and 155 pounds.

That kind of mileage leaves a mark, even on someone built like Makhachev.

Speaking to Match TV, the champion revealed he has been undergoing checks and treatment on his back after his latest title defense. He went through three MRIs and a full spinal examination, and while nothing alarming showed up, he knows he has to respect the warning signs.

"There are a few small issues, so I'm working on them. It's nothing serious. I'm just strengthening my spine," Makhachev said, via a Russian-to-English translation from Championship Rounds.

The move up from lightweight has demanded changes. At 155 pounds, Makhachev set the record for most successful title defenses in the division with four, bullying opponents with a mix of suffocating wrestling and increasingly sharp striking. At 170, the bodies are bigger, the collisions heavier, and the wear accumulates faster.

You would not have guessed it from his performances. He brushed aside Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight crown with a one-sided decision, then turned back the surging Garry with the composure of a man who has seen every look the sport can offer. Any “nagging issues” stayed firmly in the background once the cage door closed.

Now, the clock he listens to is not just the UFC’s schedule, but his own faith.

A devout Muslim, Makhachev has long shaped his career around Ramadan, preferring to avoid full training camps and fights during the holy month. That rhythm remains in place. As he heals and waits for the next name and date, he already has a window in 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."

The champion is not asking for tune-ups or time off. He is asking for alignment: a healthy spine, a clear camp, and a fight that lands before February. Once those pieces fall into place, the man with 17 straight UFC wins will walk back into the cage, chasing an even more uncomfortable question for the rest of the division: