Like Chimaev, Makhachev’s tentative next opponent Jack Della Maddalena has never been beaten in the UFC. The welterweight champion is riding an 18-fight win streak and defeated Belal Muhammad by decision to win the title in the UFC 315 main event in May.

Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene in the summer of 2020, finishing his first three opponents in barely two months with thrashing performances. He continued to pile up gaudy numbers, and even after injuries, illnesses and other factors slowed his roll, he remained undefeated and eventually made it to a title fight at last Saturday's UFC 319.

Khamzat Chimaev finally lived up to his early promise on Saturday night, utterly dominating Dricus du Plessis to claim the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 319.