Welterweight · Champion (Media) · Meta Champion

Who will Islam Makhachev 🇷🇺 fight next?

Record 29-1-0 · Age 34 · Born Dagestan, Russia

Most likely Carlos Prates (70%), Jan 2027 target. No date or venue announced.. Next: Michael Morales (15%), Ian Machado Garry (3%).

Updated 1 Oct 2026 (Dubai time) · Percentages are NextSmash model estimates, not facts or betting advice.

Champion. Won the title from Della Maddalena at UFC 322 (15 Nov 2025) and defended it against Garry at UFC 330. Says he must fight again before Ramadan (February), in December or January. No defence announced.

Likely opponents Model estimate

Carlos Prates
70%

Prates says the fight is 'locked in', probably January. Makhachev has said Prates is the more deserving contender. Not announced by the UFC.

Likely event: Jan 2027 target. No date or venue announced.

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Michael Morales
15%

Unbeaten #3 and the UFC 330 backup. ESPN's wild card if Prates isn't next. Hasn't fought since Nov 2025.

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Ian Machado Garry
3%

Just lost to Makhachev in August. Immediate rematches score very low on freshness.

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Field / other: 12%. This covers everyone not listed above.

Likely event: A December or January card (Prates wants Vegas in December; January is more likely). Nothing announced.
Last fight: Win vs Ian Machado Garry · Decision (unanimous) R5 5:00 · UFC 330 · 15 Aug 2026
Career stage: 17 straight UFC wins. Peak: active champion.
Confidence: Medium (High = officially booked · Medium = reported or a fighter's own claim · Low = model only)
Last updated: 1 Oct 2026 (Dubai time)

Islam Makhachev: frequently asked questions

When is Islam Makhachev's next fight?

No fight is officially booked as of 1 Oct 2026. Our outlook: A December or January card (Prates wants Vegas in December; January is more likely). Nothing announced.

Who did Islam Makhachev fight last?

Islam Makhachev beat Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on 15 Aug 2026 (Decision (unanimous) R5 5:00).

Who is Islam Makhachev likely to fight next?

NextSmash model estimate: Carlos Prates (70%), Michael Morales (15%), Ian Machado Garry (3%). Updated 1 Oct 2026. These are estimates, not facts or betting advice.

What is Islam Makhachev's record?

29-1-0 (wins-losses-draws) in professional MMA, as listed on UFC.com (checked 1 Oct 2026).

Your pick

Other welterweight fighters

Ian Machado Garry #1 · next: Michael Morales 45%
Carlos Prates #2 · next: Islam Makhachev 70%
Michael Morales #3 · next: Ian Machado Garry 45%
Jack Della Maddalena #4 · next: Leon Edwards 25%
Gabriel Bonfim #5 · next: Sean Brady 92%

More: Welterweight rankings and next fights · Russia UFC fighters

Sources

UFC.com athlete profile (record, rank, last fight) · 1 Oct 2026
UFC.com rankings (Media Panel + Meta boards) · 1 Oct 2026
ESPN fighter profile (country, record cross-check) · 1 Oct 2026
AgentMMA: Prates says the Makhachev fight is locked in, likely January · 23 Sep 2026
Heavy: Prates confirms Makhachev fight, date TBD · 23 Sep 2026
MixedMartialArts.com: Makhachev prefers Prates, wants to fight before Ramadan · 17 Aug 2026
ESPN: Should Prates or Morales be next? (UFC 330 what's next) · 16 Aug 2026

Percentages are NextSmash model estimates from the factors shown above (see methodology). They are not facts, and not betting advice. Records and ranks come from UFC.com; country from ESPN. Checked 1 Oct 2026.