Islam Makhachev’s Talking About RETIRING?

Why Champions Consider Retirement

Chael Sonnen examines why fighters may begin talking about retirement just as they reach the top. He opens with a story about wrestling champion Les Gutches, who was urged by his coach, Chuck Kearney, to stop overthinking tactics and simply enjoy being “king of the world.”

Sonnen says the pattern appears throughout MMA. Early milestones, such as signing a UFC contract, can feel like a celebration, but success can bring new pressure. He recalls Anderson Silva often discussing retirement and points to Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje as other fighters who have seemed uncertain about continuing. In his view, a champion may start feeling that everyone is coming for what he has earned, shifting from trying to win to trying not to lose.

Islam Makhachev as an Example

Sonnen describes Islam Makhachev’s 25-minute championship fight with Jack Della Maddalena as entirely controlled by Islam, despite Islam moving up a weight class to face an undisputed champion. The subtitles provide no round-by-round details or exact scoring, but Sonnen’s assessment is that Islam was the clear victor throughout.

Despite that dominance, Islam has spoken about the possibility of retiring. He says he listens to his mother, who has never wanted him to fight. Sonnen notes the humor in that explanation while recognizing its seriousness.

Sonnen compares Islam’s comments with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, which Khabib attributed to his mother’s wishes. Khabib left competition but remains deeply involved in the sport as a coach and team figure. Sonnen also mentions Georges St-Pierre in connection with retirement after great success.

The Challenge of Success

Sonnen says Islam has potential opponents ahead, including Prates, Morales, and Rakhmonov. He contrasts this with the more ambitious attitude Islam might have shown five years earlier.

Sonnen concludes that success can be difficult to handle from inside the spotlight, even when the path seems clear to fans watching from outside: enjoy being the champion.

Credits

• Presenter: Chael Sonnen
• Source cited: Chuck Kearney, in Sonnen’s anecdote about Les Gutches