Islam Makhachev has dismissed any talk of retirement ahead of his UFC 330 title defense against Ian Garry.
The welterweight champion made it clear he is not walking away from the sport anytime soon.
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"No, no, no. I told you I like to be UFC champion and we're still going," Makhachev said.
When asked about a potential timeline for retirement, the 34-year-old said it's not about age but how he feels physically.
"It's not about numbers, about age. It's about your health, how you feel," he explained.
"Not everybody can feel the same at 34. That's why I feel great.
No injuries. I still enjoy the sports, you know.
That's why we will fight again. You will see me many more times."
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Rogan's Retirement Speculation
Joe Rogan recently speculated that Makhachev could retire after a dominant win over Garry.
"Islam may retire," Rogan said on JRE. "He may retire.
He's done a lot. He's competed in two different weight classes and won world championships in two different weight classes.
If he beats Ian, if he submits Ian and says, 'I've had enough, I'm going to do what Khabib did, and I'm going to coach now,' I could see that."
Despite the speculation, Makhachev remains focused on his upcoming fight and respects his challenger.
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"I respect him. Number one contenders cannot be bad," the champ said.
"He's good, a good striker, he has some skills, wrestling defense. He has good grappling defense.
He's good, he's a real contender and a real one who I want to beat."
Looking ahead, Makhachev also shared a personal goal for the end of his career: fighting in Russia.
"I love to fight in Russia because it's my country. Everybody supports me there and everybody wants to watch my fight again in Russia.
That's why I want to also finish my career there."
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First things first, though, the champ has unfinished business at UFC 330.
