“I’m not going to leave this sport without a second belt. This is my goal,” Islam Makhachev told TNT Sports ahead of UFC 311. The Dagestani juggernaut, after four dominant title defenses, was ready to chase his long-standing dream. But Ilia Topuria’s explosive arrival at lightweight stirred talk of a superfight. Did Makhachev abandon his mission? Not quite. After Jack Della Maddalena took out Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, Makhachev finally gave up his 155 lbs crown and moved up to pursue double champ status.

When it comes to fan entertainment, picking between these two absolute bangers feels like choosing between your favorite snacks—nobody wants to give up either, both are downright addictive. Ilia vs. Islam or JDM vs. Islam, it’s that kind of dilemma. Fans want to see both, no question. But with the lightweight champ making his decision clear and Ilia Topuria is now booked against Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira for International Fight Week. So, a superfight with the Aussie welterweight champ is now looking like the most likely scenario.

Could the UFC have planned things a little better to make both superfights happen? Maybe. Plenty of fans and fighters have shared their ideal matchups, but Paddy Pimblett believes Islam Makhachev could’ve made both fights possible. Why? Because he thinks the soon-to-be former champ would’ve made quick work of the Georgian-Spaniard and then fought Della Maddalena four months later. 

In an interview with TNT Sports, Pimblett said: “If I was Islam, I would’ve fought Topuria. Beat Topuria and fought Jack Della like four months later. Cause Islam would probably wanna headline the Abu Dhabi card. Like he smokes Topuria, like he smoked Moicano and the others in the first and second round, he’d be good to go from June, July, August, September, October. He’d be good to in October against Jack Della. If I was Islam, I would’ve done that.” 

That’s a bold take from the Liverpudlian, no doubt. While many see Ilia Topuria as the biggest threat to Islam Makhachev’s lightweight reign, there’s always that wildcard—another perfectly-timed head kick, like the one at UFC 294. Sure, that might’ve opened the door for both superfights, but it also could’ve robbed fans of the true spectacle. Flip the script, if Islam had gone to war with Topuria at UFC 317 and retained, a quick turnaround for the Abu Dhabi card just four months later would’ve been brutal. Tailoring his body for 170 in that window? It would’ve been a tough ask. 

Right now, the lightweight showdown feels a little far-fetched, especially with Ilia Topuria locked in for International Fight Week. But the welterweight blockbuster against Jack Della Maddalena? That’s very much on. However, one of Islam Makhachev’s teammates believes the soon-to-be former champ might not be too far from calling it a career. 

Josh Thomson believes Islam Makhachev might retire in the welterweight division 

It still feels like yesterday for many UFC fans when Islam Makhachev captured the belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. But the Dagestani champ’s rise has been swift, and now he’s on the verge of hoisting a second title. Many believe he’s eyeing a high-note exit, just like his mentor Khabib, who retired as the pound-for-pound king after beating Justin Gaethje. 

So many think, if Islam achieves his goal, walking away on top might just be the next move. His former teammate Josh Thomson also believe the same, but believes one defense would be there if Makhachev successfully gets the welterweight belt. 

On the Weighing In podcast, he said: “I think he’ll defend it t one time. I also believe it’s gonna probably be a Shavkat maybe a Sean Brady if Sean Brady gets past. Ian Garry, there’s talk that they’re scheduled to fight. If it ends up being an Ian Garry, I don’t know if he’ll do it. I think he’ll probably just be like, ‘Okay, I’m good.’ I think he wants to fight guys that want to fight, not run around. 34 years old, he understands that the time is coming. He’s somebody that doesn’t want to take a bad loss. He wants to be able to go out on his own terms.”

That seems like a realistic scenario. Islam Makhachev has already checked off major accomplishments and is financially set, so stepping away at 34 wouldn’t be all that surprising, especially if he fulfills all his goals. A final defense against names like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, Joaquin Buckley, or even Ian Garry could serve as a perfect send-off. That said, judging by his current form, it looks like he still has a solid three comfortable years left in him.

With that being said, what do you think would be the best route to take for Islam Makhachev if he does end up winning the welterweight title in the future? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.