Islam Makhachev has just successfully defended his lightweight title by defeating Alexander Volkanovski, but soon after his first-ever title defense, Makhachev’s mother is asking him to retire from the UFC.
Last week at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, the highly awaited UFC 284 lightweight match between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski took place, and it did not disappoint. With scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, Makhachev was able to defend his lightweight title against Alexander Volkanovski and keep it.
Islam Makhachev reveals mothers wish for him to retire now he is UFC champion (@loganofford)✍️#UFC284 #UFC #MMA https://t.co/kbXop3O69K pic.twitter.com/VgrOH1n4J7
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 21, 2023
The 31-year-old fighter does not plan to hang up his gloves anytime soon. Instead, defense of his lightweight title at least a few more times is the Dagestani’s primary objective at the moment. In addition to attempting to retain the title of his weight division, the Russian has aspirations of moving up to the welterweight division at some point in the future.
Makhachev disclosed in an interview with UFC Russia his mother and father’s perspectives on him being a champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and how they react to his violent fights.
“My mother doesn’t watch fights, not just my fights – fights in general. She doesn’t like seeing people hit each other. When I came home there were a lot of people there. [My mother] said, ‘You’re a champion now. Wrap it up. Khabib listened to his mother. When will you listen to yours?” said Islam.
Islam approaches his mother by stating that Khabib defended his championship, and he must do the same despite the fact that it is a difficult subject for his mother to discuss. However, in contrast to Makhachev’s mother, his father watches all of the bouts.
Islam Makhachev's mother wants him to follow in Khabib's footsteps and "wrap up" his career.
📰 https://t.co/PC6LAvYO0Q pic.twitter.com/KVx8wSbqJi
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 21, 2023
Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) declared himself as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the world after beating Volk, the reigning featherweight champion, however, the most recent P4P ranking disproves this. as the Australian continued to lead the pound-for-pound ranking.
