Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez has said that welterweight champion Islam Makhachev may be willing to fight again by December, but only if the UFC acts quickly to ensure he has enough time to prepare.

Makhachev had previously stated after his decision win against Ian Machado Garry last month that he was keen to fight again before Ramadan next year, suggesting that either December or January could be good options.

A few weeks on Makhachev’s coach Mendez has now indicated that December is indeed still a possibility, as long as the UFC doesn’t take too long to put a suitable match-up in place.

“I think that he could be ready December on up potentially,” Mendez said on Weighing In. “Potentially because I don’t know exactly where his mind is at but one thing I do know, Islam’s not gonna say no to any opponent.

“His only issue is going to be when do they want him to fight and that’s it. The date [and] if he can have enough time because he always wants two months training camp. He’s not going to take six weeks, seven weeks. Islam wants a two month training camp.”

The UFC’s final big event of 2026 is expected to be UFC 335 in Las Vegas on December 12th, which currently has no fights attached to it, so there’s certainly room for Makhachev to front it against a leading contender like Carlos Prates or Michael Morales.