Mendez Maps Out Three Fights for Makhachev Before Retirement

Javier Mendez has a three-fight wishlist for Islam Makhachev before the lightweight champion considers hanging it up.

Speaking to Submission Radio, Mendez laid out his preferred endgame: Carlos Prates first, then Michael Morales, then Shavkat Rakhmonov if he returns from injury. Mendez believes those three wins would cement Makhachev's case as the greatest UFC fighter of all time.

"This is in my mind, OK? Not Islam's mind, my mind," Mendez said, per Sherdog.

The first two names on the list are about to collide. Prates (24-7) and Morales (19-0) meet for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on January 30 in Toronto. The winner is expected to face Makhachev (29-1) in a unification bout.

Rakhmonov (19-0) is the wildcard. The Kazakh finisher hasn't fought since December 2024 after dealing with multiple knee injuries. If he returns healthy, a Makhachev fight would be one of the biggest matchups the welterweight division has ever produced.

Mendez acknowledged the plan depends entirely on Makhachev's desire to keep fighting. "If Islam fights one more fight and he's done, well, my wishlist goes to hell," he said.

Makhachev has been dominant at 170, running through every challenge since moving up from lightweight. The question isn't whether he can beat these three. It's whether he wants to.