"Like Khabib did" - MMA legend Demetrious Johnson charts Islam Makhachev's retirement plan with one more fight

Demetrious Johnson added a sharp angle to Islam Makhachev's future by mapping out a clean exit plan for the freshly crowned UFC welterweight champion. His view drops at a moment when Makhachev’s stock has never been higher, and the timing of his suggestion lines up with a potential superfight that has been gaining momentum ever since UFC 322.

Makhachev’s win in New York pushes him into the greatest of all time conversation. He now holds titles in two divisions and looks physically settled at welterweight despite earlier talk about whether he could handle the size jump.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Johnson said:

"I didn't think Islam is small for 170. I've seen him in person. I've trained with him. He's a big fu*king dude. And who is he going to fight next at 170? You know what, I wrote that I think Islam is destined for this. He should fight Ilia Topuria at the White House. If he beats Topuria, he retires."

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He added:

"Islam has plenty of money, right? Go out on your shield like Khabib did. A lot of people in MMA don't want to see that, but in mixed martial arts, we athletes stay too long at the party. There's no reason for an athlete to keep taking hits to the head and all that stuff. If I was him, fight Topuria at the White House. You beat Topuria, walk away. I'm sure you made another one. That shit pays as far as fucking Russia, so there's no point for him to keep on fighting."

Check out Demtrious Johnson's comments below:

Topuria took the lightweight title at UFC 317 and entered UFC 322 ranked first on the pound-for-pound list. Many expect the spot to switch hands after Makhachev's win. This creates a natural storyline for a champion against a champion fight.

That matchup comes with clear stakes since there's also history between them. After Makhachev committed to welterweight, some viewed it as a move that kept him away from Topuria.

Edited by Abhishek Nambiar