Islam Makhachev didn’t stick around long to discuss rankings, hype, or fan favorites. Just a week after capturing the welterweight title and establishing himself as the sport’s pound-for-pound king, he was already planning ahead—calmly, confidently, and with the certainty that only a champion with options can afford.

And, while everyone else is still fussing about resumes and callouts, the Dagestani has placed a quiet countdown on head honcho Dana White‘s desk. In Dagestan, he told local media that the clock is ticking. And not for him, but for the UFC. With numerous contenders emerging from UFC Qatar and the division bursting with fresh names, he believes the organization must make a quick decision.

Dana White expected to reveal Makhachev’s opponent within days

Islam Makhachev had already broken down the field by the time the dust settled in Qatar. Two rising contenders won big. A former champion reminded everyone he’s not done yet. And several names rushed to claim the throne. However, the Dagestani phenom did not seem intimidated, just pragmatic, as he spoke to the media during his recent home visit.

“We have at least three or four contenders now,” he told the press in his native Russian. “Soon, probably in about two weeks, it will be clear who the next challenger will be.” In other words, he has given the UFC a timeline. Ian Machado Garry may have delivered the louder callout after defeating Belal Muhammad in Qatar, but the champion remains unconcerned.

“He didn’t surprise me yesterday,” Makhachev stated, emphasizing that Garry’s performance just wasn’t enough on its own. “If he surprised the UFC, then maybe he will be next.” For a fighter as calculated as Islam Makhachev, that wasn’t dismissive but realistic. ‘The Future’ is undefeated, young, and on the rise, but the champion wants the matchup to be earned, not just assumed.

Shavkat Rakhmonov, on the other hand, poses a different challenge. “He hasn’t fought for over a year,” Islam Makhachev said. “A contender can’t sit out for a year with injuries and then come fight for the belt.” Still, he didn’t entirely close the door. “If he recovers and the UFC decides he’s next, why not?” And that exactly is the point of Makhachev’s reign: he has preferences but no fear.

Whether it’s Rakhmonov, Garry, or someone else entirely, he’s delegating the final call to Dana White, as long as it falls within the two-week time frame he’s now established. Even if it means going one-on-one against Ilia Topuria. However, there would be one condition that will have to be met for that fight. Till then, he remains the kingpin and “the best pound-for-pound,” according to the man many consider to be the MMA GOAT.

Georges St-Pierre hits back at Makhachev’s critics

What makes the Islam Makhachev conversation interesting is how the reactions vary depending on who is speaking. Casual fans complained about the lack of a finish at UFC 322, but those who appreciate high-level MMA, particularly Georges St-Pierre, left the arena completely surprised. The Hall of Famer witnessed the Dagestani’s welterweight debut from cageside and didn’t mince words afterwards.

For ‘GSP,’ criticism of the performance at UFC 322 isn’t just wrong; it also shows a lack of comprehension. “Right now, I think the best pound-for-pound is probably Islam Makhachev,” he stated on Adin Ross’s livestream. “I witnessed his performance… it was freaking brilliant.” He stressed how clean the performance was, saying, “I don’t think he even took a punch. People who say, ‘Oh, it was a decision,’ they don’t know the art of fighting.”

To the MMA GOAT, the challenge of moving up a division and handling a dangerous welterweight like Jack Della Maddalena was the whole point. “Going up a weight class and beating him like he did is freaking hard,” he said. And with that, he effectively ended the “boring” narrative, reminding everyone that skill, even when quiet, is still mastery.