“Well, maybe BMF title. I want the real title, but I don't want to wait until then. Ilia, he fights once a year... If Charles Oliveira wins, it's going to be good. We've got a story.”

– via The Ariel Helwani Show (January 13, 2026), pivoting his strategy toward the BMF belt to avoid a long layoff in the lightweight division

“I think someone like Israel Adesanya intrigues me... He’s someone I don’t really like. He’s talked a lot of sh*t about me in the past, let’s see if he can back it up... I would love the [Strickland] fight. He’s a cardio kickboxer, I’d beat him everywhere”

– via via Submission Radio (January 11, 2026), revealing his plans to move up to the 185—pound division following his dominant wrestling win at RAF 5.

“I think someone like Israel Adesanya intrigues me... He’s someone I don’t really like. He’s talked a lot of sh*t about me in the past, let’s see if he can back it up... I would love the [Strickland] fight. He’s a cardio kickboxer, I’d beat him everywhere”

– via via Submission Radio (January 11, 2026), revealing his plans to move up to the 185—pound division following his dominant wrestling win at RAF 5.

“I think we do it in the UFC in June. I can just absolutely rip that guy apart, send him packing, and end his career... This guy’s a fraud. He’s a JUCO bum. He couldn’t hack it in wrestling”

– via The Ariel Helwani Show (January 13, 2026), responding to Colby Covington's refusal to face him in a wrestling match and his subsequent move to middleweight.

“I am planning on going out there and not taking any damage and have a quick turnaround... then maybe we can do it with someone like Movsar or Lerone Murphy”

– via The Ariel Helwani Show (January 12, 2026), outlining his ambitious roadmap for the featherweight division as he prepares for his first title defense on home soil.

“I am planning on going out there and not taking any damage and have a quick turnaround... then maybe we can do it with someone like Movsar or Lerone Murphy”

– via The Ariel Helwani Show (January 12, 2026), outlining his ambitious roadmap for the featherweight division as he prepares for his first title defense on home soil.

“I'd absolutely love to smash Arman Tsarukyan in a wrestling match after watching him tonight”

– via The Schmo (January 11, 2026), responding to the challenge issued by Arman Tsarukyan following the latter's dominant debut at RAF 5.

“You know who I want next? There is only one person right now on the takedown list in UFC welterweight history. That's Georges St—Pierre. GSP, get out here on Real American Freestyle. Let's make it happen”

– via RAF 5, issuing a daring challenge to the MMA GOAT contender following his dominant victory

“I'm just here to save wrestling. You got some boring, entitled bozos in this building that think they should be in the headliner... Come on, Bo. Have you ever been a main event? It's entitled bozos like this that kill the sport of wrestling”

– via RAF 05 (Real American Freestyle) pre—fight press conference, launching a scathing attack on Bo Nickal before their respective wrestling matches

“I'd love to fight Colby, but I seriously doubt he would fight me. We weigh the same, so let's do it at the White House”

– via X challenged Covington to a fight at the UFC White House event on June 14, 2026.

“They told me about a possible fight against [Jack Della Maddalena] for March or April... but now this is in June/July maybe. If I get a fight against Maddalena, even better. One more fight to gain experience. And if it’s against Makhachev, I’ll accept it too. I have no problem.”

– via Carlos Contreras Legaspi (CC Legaspi), revealing that the UFC is weighing his options between a high—stakes contender bout or a direct shot at the new welterweight king.

“2026 is about to be lit. I'm going to go out there, take care of Song, take care of Petr. 'Doing Well' is going to blow up. I'm going to retire. This might be the last 'Suga' year ever”

– via his YouTube channel sending shockwaves through the MMA world by suggesting that his 2026 campaign will be his final act in the Octagon

“I'm in. He's got pretty good striking. I reckon I'd finish him. It has to be a five rounder for sure”

– via the N3ON podcast, accepting a high stakes challenge from the surging Brazilian knockout artist.

“That's the fight... I want to fight Shavkat because beating someone like him, you get thrown right back in there [for a title shot]”

– via the N3ON podcast, making it clear that he views the undefeated Kazakh as his fastest ticket to a rematch with Islam Makhachev.

“Put a date on it. I got a date for you. March 7. Let's make it happen in Vegas.”

– via Instagram directly challenging former champion Belal Muhammad for a high stakes welterweight showdown.

“Michael Page rematch, that is a must. I want to prove to the fans that the first time I just failed to show what I'm capable of. I didn't show anything just because I wasn't able to do so because of health issues”

– via Red Corner MMA doubling down on his desire to avenge the only blemish on his professional record.

“I’d wrestle the right guy. I’d wrestle Jon Jones... [But] No... I’m not wrestling Yoel Romero, bro. I wouldn’t wrestle Yoel. He’s still good, man! He’s like insanely good. I’m not wrestling with him. I’d wrestle like a Jon Jones or somebody”

– via his YouTube channel discussing a potential return to the mats for Real American Freestyle (RAF).

“Suga vs Petr at the White House, America vs Russia but again fans don't want to see it—okay you guys are right you get to watch Petr vs Merab, go ahead I'll sit out. I'll put on a masterful [performance] and you guys miss out.”

– via his YouTube channel, responding to critics who claim he doesn't deserve a title shot after back to back losses to Merab Dvalishvili.

“Unfortunately, the weak rubber ['Borrachinha'] was forced out of the fight. But it's nothing new for him to be a wimp. With all due respect, Roman Dolidze, I have nothing against you but let's give a beating show to the fans at UFC 326 because I know you're not a soft a like 'Borrachinha'”

– via Instagram on December 26, 2025, calling out Roman Dolidze after his scheduled opponent, Paulo Costa, withdrew from their upcoming bout.

“We all know you need the money, so let me help you one more time. Quit boxing... come on over to Real American Freestyle. After i mop the mat with Luke Rockhold January 10th, you could take your chance at redemption.”

– via his YouTube channel, offering Tyron Woodley a wrestling rematch following Woodley's recent knockout loss to Anderson Silva in boxing.