Khabib predicts Makhachev’s retirement at peak, warns: “Someone will stop you”

Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC icon and former lightweight champion, stunned the MMA world by advising his protégé, Islam Makhachev, to plan his retirement at the peak of his career. In an interview with the Ushatayka program on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in Indonesia, the 36-year-old Russian was emphatic in stating that Makhachev, aged 33, should leave the octagon within two years, before turning 35, to preserve his legacy. The statement, made during a press conference, reinforces the “Dagestan Clan” mentality, which prioritizes exiting the sport at its peak, as Khabib himself did in 2020. The prediction sparked debates among fans and experts, especially since Makhachev, a former lightweight champion, is vying for the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025 in New York. Khabib’s advice reflects his belief that, after 35, a fighter’s performance tends to decline, and he urges Makhachev to avoid that downfall. The news reignites discussions about the longevity of MMA athletes and the impact of strategic career decisions.

Khabib’s statement was not without context. He highlighted Makhachev’s age, who will turn 34 in October 2025, as a determining factor. According to the former champion, a fighter’s physical and technical peak begins to fade after 35, regardless of talent or preparation. He emphasized that prolonging a career beyond this point increases the risk of being surpassed by younger opponents. His message was clear: “If you don’t stop, someone stops you.”

Khabib also mentioned the mindset of Dagestan fighters, who value solid achievements and an intact legacy over extending careers for money or fame. He retired at 32, undefeated with 29 wins, fulfilling a promise to his mother to leave the sport after his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, passed away in 2020.

• Factors influencing retirement decisions: Makhachev has already won the lightweight belt and defended it four times before relinquishing it in May 2025 to move up to welterweight.
• Next challenge: He will face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title in November 2025 in New York.
• Legacy at stake: A win could make him a two-division champion, a feat Khabib never achieved.

Khabib’s view on MMA’s peak

Khabib Nurmagomedov, known as “The Eagle,” built a legendary UFC career, retiring with a perfect record of 29 wins in 29 fights. His retirement in 2020, after submitting Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, was driven by personal reasons but also by a strategic vision to exit at his peak. In his Ushatayka interview, he stressed that this philosophy should guide Makhachev. “When you hit 35, you’re never the same. People can say what they want, but past your peak, you’re fighting just for money,” he stated.

This perspective is shared by other members of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), where Makhachev and Khabib trained together for over two decades. Javier Mendez, AKA’s head coach, also indicated in a June 2025 interview with Submission Radio that Makhachev might have only three fights left before retiring, reinforcing the idea of a short, impactful career plan.

Khabib’s advice isn’t just about physical performance but also about protecting Makhachev’s mental health and legacy. He noted that, in MMA, constant pressure and physical wear can lead to unexpected losses that tarnish the reputation of great champions.

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Makhachev’s UFC journey

Islam Makhachev, Khabib’s protégé since their training days in Dagestan, followed in his mentor’s footsteps by winning the UFC lightweight title in October 2022, submitting Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira. Since then, he defended the title four times against names like Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier, establishing himself as one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters.

In May 2025, Makhachev made the bold decision to vacate the lightweight belt to move up to welterweight, seeking a new challenge and the chance to become a two-division champion. His upcoming fight against Jack Della Maddalena is seen as a milestone in his career, as a victory would place him among the rare fighters who have won titles in different UFC weight classes.

• Current record: Makhachev has 26 wins and one loss in his professional career, with the defeat coming in 2015 against Adriano Martins.
• Fighting style: Like Khabib, he excels in sambo and wrestling, dominating on the ground.
• Welterweight challenge: The new division requires adaptation to heavier opponents with greater striking power.
• November expectations: The fight against Della Maddalena is anticipated as one of his career’s toughest tests.

Reactions in the MMA world

Khabib’s statement sparked immediate reactions from fans, fighters, and analysts. Daniel Cormier, a former UFC double champion and commentator, expressed concern about Makhachev potentially retiring so soon. In a June 19, 2025, YouTube video, he noted that Makhachev, at 33, still has much to offer the sport. “It’s scary to think he might only have three fights left. We want to see him against other big names like Usman or Topuria,” Cormier said.

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Other fighters, like Arman Tsarukyan, who faced Makhachev in 2019, also weighed in. In a July 29, 2025, Out Cold podcast interview, Tsarukyan said Khabib inspired his own career but believes Makhachev can still dominate welterweight before considering retirement.

The fan community on social media is divided. Some support Makhachev following Khabib’s lead and retiring at his peak, while others lament the potential loss of one of MMA’s greatest talents at such a promising moment.

Influence of the Dagestan Clan

Khabib’s advocacy for early retirement reflects the culture of the “Dagestan Clan,” a group of fighters including Makhachev, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Umar Nurmagomedov. Trained initially by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, these athletes share a philosophy of discipline, focus, and strategic exit from the sport. Khabib, who became a coach after retiring, continues to shape the next generation but indicated in a January 2025 ESPN interview that he also plans to retire from coaching in the coming years.

Makhachev faces family pressure to leave MMA. In 2023, he revealed to UFC Russia that his mother asked him to retire after winning the lightweight title, echoing the request made to Khabib years earlier. Despite this, Makhachev stated he still has goals to achieve, such as capturing the welterweight belt.

• Dagestan legacy: The group has produced champions in the UFC and Bellator, like Usman Nurmagomedov, the current PFL lightweight champion.
• Abdulmanap’s influence: Khabib’s father was Makhachev’s mentor, who considered him his favorite student.
• Retirement philosophy: The priority is to exit the sport with health and reputation intact.
• Clan’s future: Umar Nurmagomedov is seen as the family’s next big name.

Makhachev’s next steps

Makhachev’s fight against Jack Della Maddalena, scheduled for November 2025 in New York, will be a defining moment. A win could cement his status as one of the UFC’s greatest fighters, while a loss might fuel retirement talks. UFC president Dana White confirmed Makhachev as the next welterweight title challenger, emphasizing the fight’s importance to the organization.

Additionally, Makhachev faces the challenge of adapting to a new weight class, where he’ll encounter opponents with greater physical strength and varied fighting styles. His coach, Javier Mendez, expressed optimism but acknowledged the difficulty of facing Della Maddalena, known for his striking precision.

The possibility of Makhachev winning the welterweight belt and potentially retiring with two titles puts his career on a historic trajectory. However, Khabib’s advice serves as a reminder that, in MMA, time is unforgiving, and the decision to retire can be as critical as octagon victories.

Impact of early retirement in MMA

The idea of early retirement, championed by Khabib, isn’t new to MMA but continues to spark debate. Fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Khabib himself are examples of athletes who retired at their peak, preserving their legacies. In contrast, names like Anderson Silva and BJ Penn extended their careers, facing losses that impacted their reputations.

For Makhachev, whether to follow Khabib’s advice or pursue new challenges will depend on his performance in the coming years. With only one loss and an impressive record, he has the chance to end his career as one of the sport’s greatest, but as his mentor warned, the clock is ticking.