Islam Makhachev is just a few days away from making history and joining the list of a select few fighters. Not only that, the Dagestan native also has a chance to surpass his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, by beating Jack Della Maddalena and becoming a two-weight champion at UFC 322. However, it appears that the former lightweight champion is already planning for what lies ahead of him next year.

Islam Makhachev, 34, is closer to the end of his career than at the beginning. As such, he has plans to compete at the biggest events at the best venues. The Makhachkala native also addressed the speculation surrounding a potential move to the middleweight division, which doesn’t seem likely. Here’s what Makhachev had to say.

Islam Makhachev wants the White House fight, dismisses a middleweight move

Belal Muhammad had claimed in the past that Islam Makhachev can win UFC gold in the middleweight division. But the former lightweight champion denied the possibility of it, claiming that he won’t be in his natural state if he decides to make a move up and go for another divisional title. “185 lbs… it’s gonna be hard, you know. It’s not gonna be my weight. Honestly, it’s going to be too big,” Makhachev stated on the Weighing In podcast.

So no, there’s not going to be a Chechnya vs Dagestan fight, which means we won’t be getting Khamzat Chimaev vs Islam Makhachev. But what we could get is a fight that many fans have been asking for. Makhachev and reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria have both expressed their wish to fight each other, and the Dagestan native wants it to take place at the White House in 2026. Additionally, Khabib’s protégé is also hoping to make his way back to Abu Dhabi, where he hasn’t fought since UFC 294.

“For 2026, maybe I want to fight in White House… because [it’s going to go down in] history. Madison Square Garden, [and then] White House… People are going to remember,” Islam Makhachev added. “End of the year, maybe, I will fight in Abu Dhabi because the people [there] also miss me. How many years I’m not fighting there?”

How likely is it that the UFC will make this fight at the White House? For starters, Islam and Ilia both have to win their next bouts. Topuria does not have an opponent yet; Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje currently lead the race to face him next. If the matchmakers took the logical route, they put Pimblett in there with him up next, hoping Topuria wins. Why? Because then Gaethje, an American, can represent the country against Topuria, arguably the most marketable UFC name at the moment, at the White House card.

As for Makhachev, he will have to look for opponents at 170 lbs and maybe even miss out on the White House event. That is assuming the UFC will want maximum American representation on the card. Because only two names represent the US in the welterweight top five – Sean Brady and Belal Muhammad. The former is fighting Michael Morales this weekend on the same UFC 322 card and could confirm a title shot with a win. Muhammad, meanwhile, takes on Ian Garry a week later at UFC Qatar. A win would do more in the title picture for Garry than it would for Muhammad. Does Sean Brady or Ian Garry taking on Makhachev at the White House sound enticing?

While Islam Makhachev has made his plans clear about what he’s gunning for next, former champion and Hall of Fame legend Michael Bisping has shared some interesting comments about the Jack Della Maddalena fight. According to him, the Dagestan native could join the list of the most elite fighters in UFC history if he can win at Madison Square Garden.

Makhachev could enter the GOAT conversation with a win at UFC 322

Michael Bisping recently weighed in on the UFC 322 super fight, claiming that Islam Makhachev has a lot to gain by winning the welterweight title. A win over Jack Della Maddalena, who’s much bigger and the most challenging opponent for the ex-lightweight champion, at least on paper, places him among the GOATs. Also, a win for Makhachev would make him the second fighter, after BJ Penn, to become a 155 lbs and 170lbs champion.

“If [Makhachev] gets the job done, I think without question, he deserves to be in that conversation. Without a shadow of a doubt,” Michael Bisping told MMA Junkie‘s Mike Bohn. Claiming that Makhachev is defending the 170 lbs would even make him more legit in the GOAT debate, ‘The Count’ added, “If he can beat Jack, and I know it is a big if… and go on a run and defend it two or three times, it’s insane.”

It’s always one step at a time, and Jack Della Maddalena is a big challenge for Islam Makhachev. Nevertheless, the former champion remains confident that he will come out on top. So, let us know what you think about the upcoming fight and his 2026 plans to possibly fight Ilia Topuria at the White House in the comments section below.