Islam Makhachev Enrolls in Dubai Master's Program
Islam Makhachev has enrolled in a master's program in Dubai as the UFC champ awaits his next welterweight title defense.
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UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has enrolled in a master's degree program at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Dubai, the school confirmed, taking on a new challenge away from the cage while he waits for his next title defense to get finalized.
Plekhanov University announced the enrollment on its website, framing it as proof that Makhachev keeps pushing himself even at the top of his sport. "Makhachev reminds us that a person's strength is measured not by what they've already achieved, but by whether they're ready to become a student again," the university said in its statement. The school added that his presence reflects values it tries to instill in all its students: "discipline, responsibility, and the desire to grow."
What This Means For Makhachev's Title Reign
Islam Makhachev is coming off a dominant run that has nothing to do with academics. He defended his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330, pushing his UFC winning streak to a promotional-record 17 straight fights. That win came after Makhachev moved up from lightweight, where he was already a long-reigning champion, making him one of the rare fighters to hold titles in two weight classes inside the UFC.
Going back to school doesn't signal any slowdown in his fighting career. Makhachev has already set his sights on a second welterweight defense before Ramadan, and he has named Carlos Prates as the leading candidate for that fight, even though the UFC has not yet made it official. Prates enters the conversation off back-to-back knockouts over former welterweight champions, giving Makhachev a live, dangerous first title defense to prepare for whenever the bout gets booked.
Betting Angle
Markets have already started pricing a Makhachev-Prates matchup, with sportsbooks opening Makhachev as roughly a -250 favorite and Prates sitting around +205 to +207 in the earliest lines. That gap reflects Makhachev's suffocating wrestling and the fact that he has not lost in the UFC in nearly a decade, but Prates brings the kind of one-punch power that has ended two former champions in a row. Until the UFC makes the fight official, treat those numbers as opening market sentiment rather than a settled line, since odds on an unconfirmed bout can shift once a date and location are locked in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Islam Makhachev announce outside the UFC?
Islam Makhachev has enrolled in a master's degree program at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Dubai, the school confirmed on its website.
Who is Islam Makhachev expected to fight next in the UFC?
Islam Makhachev has identified Carlos Prates as the leading candidate for his next welterweight title defense, though the UFC has not yet officially announced the fight.
What is Islam Makhachev's current UFC winning streak?
Islam Makhachev extended his UFC winning streak to a promotional-record 17 straight victories after defending his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330.
