MMA
Joe Rogan thinks Islam Makhachev might retire once UFC 330 fight is over: "I could see that"
Published
1 month agoon
Zuffa LLCJoe Rogan wouldn't be surprised if Islam Makhachev walks away from pro MMA competition on Saturday.
Makhachev will be making his first defense of the welterweight title in the UFC 330 main event. The champion's legacy has already been cemented having won titles in two different weight classes and only suffering one loss, which took place all the way back in 2015. While the likes of Conor McGregor believe Makhachev has plenty of fight left, other aren't so sure that the pound-for-pound great will stick around.
Speaking to Aljamain Sterling during an episode of the “JRE MMA Show,†Rogan said he wouldn't doubt the welterweight title being vacated following UFC 330 if Makhachev scores another win.
Joe Rogan thinks Islam Makhachev might retire if he beats Ian Garry this weekend
“Islam may retire. If he beats Ian and says ‘I’ve had enough, I’m gonna do what Khabib did’, I could see that.
Then I could see Morales vs Prates for the undisputed title.”
(via @joerogan) pic.twitter.com/EUrb2rI7iE
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 12, 2026
“Islam may retire,†Rogan said. “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 gonna do what Khabib [Nurmagomedov] did, and I'm gonna coach now,' I could see that. And then, I could see [Michael] Morales and [Carlos] Prates for the [expletive] undisputed title.â€
If that is indeed Makhachev's plan, then Garry will want to play spoiler. The title contender has vowed to knock the 170-pound champion out in decisive fashion rather than a flash. Garry's frenemy Carlos Prates has predicted that “The Future†will take the UFC welterweight gold from Makhachev via decision.
A retirement for Makhachev would open the door for some rising welterweights. Rogan mentioned the possibility of Michael Morales and Prates fighting for the vacant welterweight title. Both men have been praised for their finishing abilities and exciting fighting styles, but whether or not Makhachev will stick around remains to be seen.
Do you agree with Joe Rogan, or would you be surprised if Islam Makhachev calls it a career once UFC 330 concludes? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
You may like
MMA
Gable Steveson should cut ties with Jon Jones, says Colby Covington: "He's just a horrible person"
Published
10 hours agoon
September 21, 2026
Zuffa LLCColby Covington believes Gable Steveson has done himself no favors aligning with Jon Jones.
Jones took Steveson under his wing before the Olympic gold medalist was offered a UFC contract. Steveson even competed under Jones' Dirty Boxing Championship promotion. Jones cornered Steveson for his successful UFC debut against Elisha Ellison back in July. “Bones†was back in Steveson's corner for UFC 331 this past Saturday, but things did not go the way the team envisioned.
Steveson was knocked out cold by Sean Sharaf in 12 seconds and made his exit from the Octagon before Bruce Buffer could announce the official result. Speaking to the folks at Submission Radio, Covington insisted that Steveson should drop Jones and start over with a new camp (via MMAJunkie).
“Jon Jones is bad energy,†Covington said. “That guy is a demon, man. We've seen the long laundry list of bad things he's done to women, to people, to cops, to drug testers. He's just a horrible person, bro. When you align yourself with, and you're surrounded by that bad energy all the time, it's going to rub off on you.
“You've got to surround yourself in this life with good people that are like-minded, that work hard, that have faith in God, and aren't just freaking piece of sh*t people like Jon Jones. So he should definitely cut Jon Jones, and get to a new camp, and get focused, and start believing, and start using his wrestling, what got you to the dance.â€
Covington hasn't shy on his views of Jones as a person throughout the years. The two were once roommates at Iowa Central Community College, but they had a falling out. Ever since, Covington has publicly ripped Jones and has brought up past legal issues.
Do you think Gable Steveson should be seeking guidance outside of Jon Jones, or should he stick with his current team? Sound off in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
Daniel Cormier thinks Manel Kape is serious threat to Joshua Van's UFC title run: "Manel has the power to knock him out"
Published
10 hours agoon
September 21, 2026
Zuffa LLCCould Joshua Van be in for his most dangerous challenger yet in the form of Manel Kape?
Van left no doubt that he is the true 125-pound king when he defeated Alexandre Pantoja in their UFC 331 rematch this past Saturday. Van won the championship in his first encounter with Pantoja due to an injury. He went on to have a successful title defense against Tatsuro Taira, but many felt the rematch with Pantoja was his first real test at an elite level.
Ultimately, Van shined bright and solidified his place at the top of the mountain. A dominant final round of a competitive five-round affair sealed the deal, and Van was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
A new test will emerge for Van, and the general consensus is that Kape will be become the new No. 1 contender for the flyweight gold. In a post-UFC 331 reaction video, Daniel Cormier said he thinks Kape is a credible threat to Van's title reign (h/t MMAJunkie).
“My guess is he's going to fight Manel Kape,†Cormier said. “He has been through now all the grapplers in the division, so he will not have to deal with that threat. The one area that Manel possesses that most don't is Manel has the power to knock him out. That's the difference. Manel can knock him out if he gets the opportunity.
“But in terms of a stylistic challenge, going through Taira, going through Pantoja back-to-back, he's already dealt with what most people thought would have been the biggest issue for Joshua Van, and that's the wrestling, and he passed those fights with flying colors, finishing Taira, and then tonight beating Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision.â€
UFC CEO Dana White had significant praise for Van following Saturday's event. He called the 125-pound titleholder the “greatest thing†to happen to the flyweight division in the modern era. Kape plans to spoil the party if he does indeed get dibs next.
Do you think Manel Kape would be Joshua Van's most dangerous challenger thus far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
MMA
Video: All 7 UFC 331 finishes from a wild night in Los Angeles
Published
11 hours agoon
September 21, 2026
Christian Mbillis Support Shakes Canelo Alvarez, Revealing Uncertainty
Ryan Garcia vs. Teofimo Lopez Set for February 6: Latest Update on Anticipated Match
Gable Steveson should cut ties with Jon Jones, says Colby Covington: "He's just a horrible person"
Christian Mbillis Support Shakes Canelo Alvarez, Revealing Uncertainty
Ryan Garcia vs. Teofimo Lopez Set for February 6: Latest Update on Anticipated Match
Gable Steveson should cut ties with Jon Jones, says Colby Covington: "He's just a horrible person"
Trending
-
Boxing2 days agoIsaac Cruz Dominates Bravo in Chaotic Fight, Challenges Ryan Garcia Next
-
MMA2 days agoJon Jones’ reaction says it all after Gable Steveson’s 12-second KO loss
-
Boxing2 days agoAnthony Joshua Opts Out of Usyk Training Camp for Tyson Fury Fight
-
MMA2 days agoPatricio ‘Pitbull’ makes violent case for new UFC deal with Round 1 KO
-
MMA1 day agoDana White adds $50K to Sean Sharaf’s bonus for shocking UFC 331 upset
-
MMA2 days agoDaniel Cormier, Joe Rogan criticize ‘ungrateful loser’ Gable Steveson for behavior after knockout loss at UFC 331
-
MMA2 days agoArman Tsarukyan says Justin Gaethje is scared to fight him: ‘He’s trying to avoid me’
-
MMA1 day agoJon Jones reacts to Gable Steveson’s brutal KO loss at UFC 331


