“Islam Makhachev is the protege of Khabib. I'm the protege of Conor. This is the new wave of Dagestan. A technical on the feet, a more technical grappler than Khabib. I'm a longer, faster, more versatile version of Conor. It's the perfect fight to make... The ball is in his court. Whenever he is ready, whenever he wants. If he wants to do it in Dagestan, I will see him there. I'm not afraid of any man walking this Earth”

– via the post fight press conference, campaigning for a welterweight title fight against Islam Makhachev and framing it as the next major promotional rivalry.

“I just beat the No.1 ranked welterweight on the planet, Belal Muhammad, former champion. There is nobody else above him other than the world champion, Islam Makhachev. Belal couldn't take me down, so Islam, you try taking me down!.I'm telling you now, I'm the best in the world, and you have a duty to defend that belt against the best welterweight on the planet, and you're looking at him... I'm taking that throne from you, and I'm ending that continuous streak. You're done, there is nobody getting in the way of me and my future... So, sign the contract and I will see you soon”

– via his post fight interview with Michael Bisping, challenging Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title.