Islam Makhachev revealed what drives him to train: Someone might smash your face in

Islam Makhachev makes no secret of the fact that, after years of success, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find new challenges. The UFC welterweight champion admitted, however, that there is one factor that motivates him to work hard in training every day.

The Dagestani fighter will soon have another chance to make history in the organization. At UFC 330, he’ll be looking to secure his 17th consecutive victory in the Octagon. He currently boasts a 16-fight winning streak, tying him with the legendary Anderson Silva.

Makhachev explained where he gets his motivation from

On the Game Set Padel Podcast, Islam Makhachev was asked what drives him to keep going, given that he has already achieved nearly everything most MMA fighters dream of.

The UFC champion admitted that at the start of his career, his only goal was to win the title belt from the world’s largest organization.

– It’s very hard to stay motivated all the time. When I first started out as a fighter, my only dream was to become a UFC champion.

After winning the lightweight title, the Dagestani set himself another goal—to set the record for the most successful title defenses in that weight class. He achieved this by defending his title four times.

Later, his motivation shifted to winning a championship in a second weight class. He achieved that goal as well when Makhachev claimed the welterweight title. Now he faces his next challenge—he makes no secret of the fact that he wants to set the UFC record for the most consecutive wins in history, surpassing Anderson Silva.

Despite all his athletic achievements, Makhachev emphasized that his primary motivation is much simpler and stems from the brutal realities of MMA.

– First and foremost, what motivates me is that if you step into the cage unprepared, someone will just smash your face in. That’s why I have to stay focused and train hard all the time.

The Dagestani added that proper preparation is not just a matter of athletic ambition, but also of safety. In his opinion, a fighter who neglects training will quickly feel the consequences during a fight.

– Training is also good for your health. If you don’t prepare properly for a fight, you’ll get tired very quickly, and then your opponent could really hurt you.

For Makhachev, it is precisely this awareness that remains the greatest motivation for his daily work. Regardless of the belts he’s won, his records, and his continued successes, only one thing matters in the Octagon—being ready for anything.