Islam Makhachev’s attention may be focused on Jack Della Maddalena, but his mind is already looking past Madison Square Garden. For him, UFC 322 is just the beginning, not the end. The Dagestani phenom has always spoken about legacy, but his current mission feels different. He’s not after belts anymore; he wants moments that define eras. And one name that keeps on appearing is Ilia Topuria.

Makhachev’s rise was never impulsive. Every move, from moving up to welterweight to picking the right opponents, has been well calculated. But ‘El Matador’ brings out something real: fire beneath the calm. Two fighters, both in their prime, circle each other like planets preparing to align. And if Islam Makhachev wins UFC 322, that alignment could happen sooner than anyone thinks.

Islam Makhachev sets 2026 as the perfect time to fight Ilia Topuria

“It can happen. It’s maybe the biggest fight,” Makhachev told Adin Ross. “I also want [to fight Topuria]. Next year is the best time.” There was no hesitation, only certainty. The Dagestani believes that this isn’t about hype; instead, it’s about culmination. ‘El Matador’ represents the pinnacle of an era that began in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s shadow and grew into something entirely his own.

In another recent interview with ESPN, he confessed that the jump to welterweight changed everything—his energy, recovery, and sharpness are now more natural. “No one who cuts 22 pounds ever recovers 100 percent,” he said. “I was maybe 70 percent before. This weight is different.”

The idea of Makhachev vs. Topuria is more than just another fight; it is a legacy wrapped in rivalry. Ilia Topuria, fresh off a shocking knockout of Charles Oliveira, has already called for a fight with the Dagestani at 170 pounds. The youthful, fearless Spaniard-Georgian prodigy is aiming for the unthinkable: conquering three divisions in the UFC.

Makhachev, on the other hand, isn’t buying into the hype. He knows he can take on ‘El Matador’ head-on, and he is geared up to take the challenge. But while fans salivate at the idea, Dana White has his foot lightly on the brakes. “Let’s see how this thing plays out,” the UFC CEO replied when recently questioned about the potential fight. “He just moved up. Let’s see how he does in this fight, and we’ll see how Islam does. They definitely want to fight each other.”

His words were pragmatic, but the sense of possibility was equally obvious: the UFC understands it has something historic on its hands, and they won’t be willing to let it go. But what if Islam Makhachev fails to win the title at UFC 322? Will the two titans still clash in 2026? Well, not according to Ilia Topuria.

Ilia Topuria sends a serious warning to Islam Makhachev

For Ilia Topuria, the stakes are simple: legacy or nothing. The Spaniard made it clear that his rivalry with Islam Makhachev is only relevant if both men hold gold. Anything less isn’t worth his time. Fighting the Dagestani without a belt, he believes, is not greatness but rather charity. His message was simple and straightforward: if Makhachev fails at UFC 322, the story ends there.

“If Islam loses, he can return back to Dagestan, to his farm, and continue herding sheep,” Topuria said, half-smirking but dead serious. “If he wins, I will definitely rise. Definitely, 100 percent.” The Spanish-Georgian believes the fight only makes sense if they meet as champions. He wants it to represent something: a battle that defines eras, not just headlines.

He isn’t wrong about the scale. “This will be one of the biggest fights in UFC history,” he said. “Islam dealt with everyone in his division and rose. Our fight will be one of great magnitude.” But that future is totally dependent on UFC 322. If Islam Makhachev triumphs, it sets up the perfect storm. If he doesn’t, ‘El Matador’ walks away, and the biggest fight in years is over before it begins.