UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is closing in on a historic feat - but he doesn't plan on stopping there.
Makhachev will defend the 170-pound title for the first time against Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event Saturday in Philadelphia. The 34-year-old Dagestani is currently tied with Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in promotion history (16), and he would set a new mark with a victory over Garry.
But Makhachev said Thursday he plans to keep adding to his winning streak until nobody is able to catch up.
"Seventeen (wins), it's not gonna be enough," Makhachev said at the UFC 330 prefight press conference. "I will be sure nobody is gonna break my record. It's gonna be 20 minimum. That's right. I'll still fight, still break all records."
Makhachev, a former lightweight champion, is already considered one of the greatest fighters of this generation - and he'll continue to solidify his case as an all-time great if he beats Garry. He moved up to welterweight last year and claimed a second title, dominating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York.
During his other title reign at 155 pounds, Makhachev defended the belt four times and defeated the likes of Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier. He holds a 28-1 career record, with his lone loss coming in his second Octagon appearance in 2015.
Garry called Makhachev a "phenomenal talent" but insisted he won't let him make history.
"Beating (Makhachev) proves that I'm special," Garry said at the press conference. "Everybody right here, everybody in this stadium, every single one of you fans consider him to be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. You consider him to be the greatest martial artist walking the earth right now. When I beat him, you'll all shut your f-----g mouth and you'll call me great."
