Coach shares surprising insight into Islam Makhachev's retirement timeline
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) relinquished his UFC lightweight title to chase a second belt. He is expected to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later in the year.
His head coach, Mendez, revealed that with a UFC-record four title defenses at lightweight and the potential to add another belt, he expects Makhachev to follow a similar path as his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov in terms of not overextending his career.
"Islam is going to be 34, so it isn't like he's really going to be around much longer, I don't think," Mendez told Submission Radio. "Based on how the Dagestani guys get their mentality on team Khabib, and Islam having enough money to do what he wants to do the rest of his life, so let's see. The challenge for me is being able to get a legacy going for him and getting the welterweight title is a hell of a legacy to have."
Mendez predicted how much longer he expects Makhachev to fight.
"I'm anticipating we'll see him for hopefully, maybe another three fights total," Mendez said. "Let's see who's in the works on that. If we get by JDM – which, I don't want to really say we're going to get by him because this guy is a tough customer. I'm going to be positive in the fact that we're going to win, but it's kind of hard to overlook JDM."
Makhachev was asked about retirement in an interview with Demetrious Johnson in January. He explained his outlook on when he'll know it's time to walk away.
"It's not like records, it's not like age," Makhachev said. "My opinion, I go to the gym, and I told you, kids want to show something to me, and when I can understand that I cannot stop the people, I can't compete with the young guys, I'll be thinking about retirement. But right now, it's not time to talk about this because I know I can do more, and I improve in all my fights."
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