![\"UFC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01ka8819g75d3cg7nt33.jpg\" "\\"UFC")
<\/p>\nUFC CEO Dana White recognizes impact across MMA when he sees it, but his most recent critique of the Nurmagomedov family may have put a bow on why UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev is in the position he is in today.<\/p>\n
Makhachev earned his second UFC title this past Saturday with a one-sided unanimous decision win against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322 \u2013 50-45, 50-45, 50-45, to run his streak to 16 in a row.<\/p>\n
Greatness aside, Makhachev is part of an even larger legacy-defining story. As White put it following the event at the post-fight presser, Makhachev becoming champion was exactly how Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, had planned it before his eventual passing in July 2020.<\/p>\n
Dana White Tips Cap To Nurmagomedovs With Rise of Islam Makhachev<\/p>\n
Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
“All I ever hear is: this guy’s gonna be a world champion,” White said. “Everybody says the same thing. And almost nobody ever makes it.”<\/p>\n
But not the Nurmagomedov camp.<\/p>\n
“Khabib’s father said: Khabib will go and dominate and then Islam will come behind him and do the same,” White added.<\/p>\n
Those words couldn’t have rang more true Saturday night, as White reflected further about how Makhachev should be viewed as his career continues to progress.<\/p>\n
“We’re talking about [Makhachev] possibly \u2014 GOAT talk here, depending on what he does in his next couple of fights,” White said. “So it’s a possibility.”<\/p>\n
That “possibility” is a White House fight next summer, something Makhachev echoed in the Octagon after the decision was read.<\/p>\n
“White House, I’m coming,” Makhachev said.<\/a><\/p>\n Who he will fight, though, is a far different discussion. It’s one White, who normally doesn’t openly reveal matchups in their immediate development, is okay with holding.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Islam Makhachev gets chilling warning from Ilia Topuria after UFC 322 title win<\/a><\/p>\n Who Will Islam Makhachev Fight Next? Nov 15, 2025; New York, NY, UNITED STATES; Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Jack Della Maddalena (not pictured) by unanimous decision in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know yet, but the great thing, as you laid out, is we have a lot of options,\u201d White said. \u201cIt just depends on what he wants to do. Does he want to stay at 170, or is he interested in 155?\u201d<\/p>\n Regardless of what Makhachev decides, he admitted he knew pretty early how the fight was going to play out.<\/p>\n “I knew I could do whatever I wanted,” Makhachev told reporters after the event. “When I took him down the first time, I felt it was gonna be a long night and I could do whatever I want on the ground. I broke him there.”<\/p>\n Makhachev’s dominance is undeniable. If he isn’t already there, his superstar level has a chance to reach unprecedented heights fairly quickly.<\/p>\n Come next year, many of those questions will be answered. But for now, a lot is yet to play out.<\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Alex Pereira travels to iconic location for latest Jon Jones UFC White House callout<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Tracy Cortez targets title shot with \u201cstatement\u201d win vs. Erin Blanchfield at UFC 322<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC axes several veteran fighters, including TUF winner and heavyweight fan favorite<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend brutally knocks out reality TV star in boxing debut<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Islam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/01ka885dgvnrzzpkpdwc.jpg\" "\\"Islam")
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