Islam Makhachev says he plans to retire after reaching 20 UFC wins

Islam Makhachev has put a timeline on his UFC future, telling reporters how many more wins he wants before retiring. After defending his title at UFC 330 against Ian Garry, Makhachev described his end point in terms of fights remaining, rather than a specific date, and said he wants to extend his run to 20 victories before “walking away,” as reported by Yahoo Sports.

Makhachev’s latest win over Garry marked another chapter in a streak that has become central to his legacy in the UFC. According to the report, the victory pushed him beyond Anderson Silva’s long-standing mark for the longest winning streak in UFC history, with Makhachev now tied to a 17-fight streak.

The framing matters because it suggests Makhachev is not only thinking about dominance in the moment, but also about how to close out a career while his competitive edge is still clear. A goal of 20 wins would require at least three additional UFC victories beyond the current streak number described in the report.

Ian Garry, the opponent in UFC 330, has been known for an aggressive style and a willingness to challenge the sport’s elite, which is part of why the matchup carried weight in the title picture. In the report, Makhachev’s decision to target a retirement win total comes directly after a defense that reinforced his status as the face of that division during this run.

Makhachev’s comments also arrive at a time when UFC titleholders are increasingly judged not only by who they beat, but by how long they can sustain pressure across multiple opponents. By tying retirement to a win count, he is effectively setting a competitive “finish line” that could shape how the UFC and matchmakers think about the next phase of his reign.

There are, however, limits to what can be confirmed from the available material. The Yahoo Sports account characterizes the championship as a “welterweight” title, while Makhachev’s UFC profile has historically been associated with other weight classes. Readers should treat that designation as reported until UFC or other official materials clarify the division naming for UFC 330.

For fans, the immediate question is what happens when a champion’s goal becomes publicly linked to a specific competitive number. If Makhachev reaches 20 wins, his next fight would likely carry a heightened sense of closure, but if he falls short, the retirement math could change. Either way, his statement shifts the focus from only “who is next” to “how many more chapters are left.”