“I’m not young anymore, it’s difficult to constantly lose weight.” Makhachev said that he does not plan to return to the lightweight division

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev said on Match TV that he has no plans to return to the lightweight category.

Makhachev finished 2025 in first place in the UFC rankings, regardless of division. The Russian topped the P4P rankings in mid-November after defeating Australian Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322 in New York. He became the first fighter from Russia and the 11th in the history of the promotion to win two championship belts. Prior to this, the Russian vacated the title of champion of the organization in the lightweight division, which is now held by Ilia Topuria.

— How did you prepare for the fight against Della Maddalena?

“It was the hardest training camp of my career because I worked a lot with weights and gained muscle mass. It was necessary not only to gain fat and extra pounds, but to gain high-quality muscle mass in order to feel comfortable at this weight. Because of this, preparation began long ago – I worked in the gym for more than three months, then there was a lot of sparring and wrestling. The camp turned out to be big and heavy.

— You feel very comfortable at this weight…

– I think yes. I’m tired of trying to gain weight and have already gained it. It will be very difficult to go back.

—Are you not planning to return?

– No. I’m not young anymore, it’s difficult to constantly lose weight. “I will most likely end my career in the category up to 77 kg,” Makhachev said on the air of the “Everyone for the Match!” program. on Match TV.

34-year-old Makhachev has 28 victories and one defeat in mixed martial arts.

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