Makhachev Declines January 2026 Title Defense

Islam Makhachev, the newly crowned UFC welterweight champion, has declined an opportunity to defend his title in January 2026, opting instead for a return later in the year after completing his training camp. The Russian fighter, who captured the 170-pound belt with a dominant unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025, revealed in a recent interview that the UFC approached him in December about a bout on the January 24 card in Las Vegas, but the timeline proved too tight following his extended preparation for the title win.

Makhachev, who previously held the lightweight championship with a UFC-record four consecutive defenses before vacating it to pursue two-division success, explained the decision during an appearance on Ushatayka. "I don't know yet when my next fight will be, but I was offered a fight in January," he said. "January, I think, is an impossible date because I had already been in camp for three months, and they called me in December. They were like, 'You'll be fighting in January.' I said it was already too late. I needed to leave for camp and be ready for January. I told them I definitely won't fight in January."