Historic Night at UFC 322 Sets Stage for Reconciliation
In a dramatic turn of events that has captured the attention of MMA fans worldwide, Khamzat Chimaev extended an olive branch to Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team just hours after Islam Makhachev's spectacular victory at UFC 322. The event, which took place on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada, witnessed Makhachev dominating Jack Della Maddalena in the main event to claim the welterweight championship.
The Message That Healed Old Wounds
On Sunday, Chimaev took to Instagram with a poetic message that signaled the end of past tensions. "The Wolf and The Eagle are not always close, but when you need to protect the mountains, they will always protect them together," wrote the Chechen-born fighter. This symbolic statement was immediately recognized by fans as a peace offering, suggesting that the conflict between Chimaev and Nurmagomedov's camp had finally been resolved.
The background to this reconciliation dates back to October 2022 at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, when Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib's cousin, engaged in a physical altercation near the cage. The situation had required intervention from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who successfully mediated between the parties and helped settle the matter that same week.
Makhachev's Record-Breaking Achievement
Islam Makhachev's victory at UFC 322 wasn't just another win—it was a historic moment that cemented his legacy in UFC history. The Russian fighter tied Anderson Silva's legendary record with his 16th consecutive UFC victory, becoming only the 11th fighter in the organization's history to hold championship titles in two different weight classes simultaneously.
Makhachev has now captured belts in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions, joining an elite group of fighters who have achieved this remarkable feat. His dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena showcased why many consider him one of the most complete fighters in the sport today.
Future Showdowns and Pound-for-Pound Ambitions
Khamzat Chimaev, who currently holds the UFC middleweight championship after defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025 in Las Vegas, has his own ambitious plans. Sitting at No.4 on the pound-for-pound list, Chimaev has openly expressed interest in facing Makhachev at 170 pounds if the newly crowned champion decides to remain in that division.
Chimaev believes that defeating a two-division champion like Makhachev would be the fastest route to claiming the No.1 pound-for-pound spot, setting the stage for what could be one of the most anticipated matchups in recent UFC history.
Adding fuel to the speculation about this potential superfight, Arman Tsarukyan, who fought Makhachev back in April 2019 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, shared his perspective in a recent interview with Aslanbek Badaev. "I would choose Khamzat. He is bigger. He is stronger. When you face someone at 77 kilos, it feels different," Tsarukyan stated, referencing his experience during a friendly grappling session with Chimaev in Thailand during the Hype Fighting event.
Tsarukyan further suggested that moving up in weight could potentially affect Makhachev's endurance, noting that the extra weight might slow him down during longer rounds. These comments add an intriguing layer to the ongoing discussion about how a potential matchup between the two champions might unfold.
With past conflicts now appearing to be resolved and new championship dynamics in place, the UFC landscape has been dramatically reshaped, promising exciting developments for fight fans in the coming months.
