“That's my octagon. That's my belt... It's not just about myself. It's about Joshua Van. That's his destiny to win that belt. He can just (only) win the belt with my injury... I'm going to take my belt again”

– via instagram releasing a statement following his injury and loss at UFC 323, acknowledging Joshua Van's win but asserting that the victory was only possible due to his injury, and promising to reclaim the belt.

“I think he deserves it. Whatever ufc wants, but i do want to run it back with him for sure”

– via UFC, pushing for an immediate title rematch with Alexandre Pantoja following his win by injury stoppage at UFC 323, stating he definitely wants to fight him again.

“No matter what happens, I don't see him coming back anytime soon. I think there would be a [title] defense before he comes back.”

– via the UFC 323 Post-Fight Press Conference, giving an update on Alexandre Pantoja's future following his injury, suggesting the injury is severe enough that a title defense might occur before Pantoja is ready to return.

“So, if you're not getting the fights you want, you're not getting moved up the division the way you want, maybe you have to adjust your style. You can be a ground guy and be exciting. Khabib [Nurmagomedov] was very exciting when he took people down and ground and pounded. He was always working to get a finish.”

– via MMA Junkie, suggesting that Arman Tsarukyan is to blame for being overlooked because he needs to adjust his style to be more exciting and entertaining for the fans.

“That's kinda crazy. It's demetrious johnson... Take that back, man. It's demetrious johnson.”

– via his YouTube channel, strongly disagreeing with Joshua Van and arguing that Demetrious Johnson remains the flyweight GOAT.

“I shouldn't be impressed by that. If it works for him, great. Good for him. Just remember, any car is bound to break at some point. Any machine.”

– Petr Yan, at the UFC 323 pre-fight presser, dismissing Merab Dvalishvili's cardio advantage by comparing it to a machine that is eventually "bound to break".

“In my first fight, i fought with him with one arm. He tried 49 takedowns.”

– Petr Yan, at the UFC 323 pre-fight presser, claiming he fought Merab Dvalishvili with an injury in their first encounter.

“Man, that was insane... For people that don't know, in that area of Mexico there's a lot of shamans... A lot of shamans, a lot of rituals... I don't know if he did something like that or he did something religious, but welcome to Tijuana. Enjoy. Hopefully, he can enjoy some amazing tacos there because they have the best ones in the country”

– commenting on Conor McGregor's trauma-healing trip to Tijuana.

“UFC reached out to me, they were asking [Islam] to fight a main event in january. He thought about it, and khabib said 'hey, shut up'. Honestly, kamaru's name was in the mix for january. Ian garry's name was in the mix too.”

– via MMA Junkie, revealing that the UFC offered Islam Makhachev a January main event fight, with Kamaru Usman and Ian Garry floated as potential opponents, before Khabib Nurmagomedov advised him to decline.

“UFC reached out to me, they were asking [Islam] to fight a main event in january. He thought about it, and khabib said 'hey, shut up'. Honestly, kamaru's name was in the mix for january. Ian garry's name was in the mix too.”

– via MMA Junkie, revealing that the UFC offered Islam Makhachev a January main event fight, with Kamaru Usman and Ian Garry floated as potential opponents, before Khabib Nurmagomedov advised him to decline.

“That time it was more personal for me... The only problem I had with him was that he was bullying. He was talking trash about me and aljo [Aljamain Sterling], about our team, and he was just not giving us respect. That was the problem, but now it's all good. I shake his hand and wish him the best in his life.I never liked this made”

– up drama. It's a fight, and we're professionals, people will watch anyway... I don't like this man... If it's not organic, why do we have to disrespect each other? I never liked this... Maybe I joke, but joke is joke. I don't like to talk trash for no reason, and I don't like somebody to disrespect me for no reason - during the UFC 323 media day interviews, claiming that his rivalry with Petr Yan is no longer personal and that he dislikes manufactured drama.

“Everyone calls me autistic. People say we're two different ends of the spectrum, the loud, barking autistic against the quiet, awkward one”

– via The Ariel Helwani Show, addressing the stereotypes and labels used by people ahead of his fight against Jean Silva.

“This is so whiny. Bad look!”

– reacted to Tom Aspinall's accusations against Ciryl Gane calling him a cheater

“The fight's already happening. He's brought in guys to his training camp to mimic my style”

– via his Instagram, stating his belief that the Conor McGregor fight is already a reality based on McGregor's training preparations.

“I do think so [Topuria is running from Arman]. I do think Ilia is the highest”

– skilled fighter in the UFC right now, but I do think he is threatened by Arman. Arman is big and strong. He is great at the weight class. His boxing is clean, great grappling. It's a tough fight for him, to where he can go to 170 [pounds], maybe he doesn't get the win, it doesn't make sense to me - speaking on the JAXXON podcast, arguing that Ilia Topuria is intentionally avoiding a fight with Arman Tsarukyan.

“UFC really wanted Lopes, but at least everyone knows they're in for a treat. With Movsar and Lerone, they're more deserving. But are they gonna bring the fight like Lopes would? I think the fans are gonna appreciate the fight that me and Lopes are gonna have”

– via his YouTube Channel, acknowledging that Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are more deserving of the next title shot, but arguing that a rematch with Diego Lopes is what the fans want.

“UFC really wanted Lopes, but at least everyone knows they're in for a treat. With Movsar and Lerone, they're more deserving. But are they gonna bring the fight like Lopes would? I think the fans are gonna appreciate the fight that me and Lopes are gonna have”

– via his YouTube Channel, acknowledging that Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are more deserving of the next title shot, but arguing that a rematch with Diego Lopes is what the fans want.

“What a ride it is. So thankful for the opportunity to start off this new partnership with the @ufc and @paramountplus. Perfect dance partner for another unforgettable night to prove once again I am one of the best and most exciting fighters of this era. I will be ready to go #ufc324”

– via Instagram, reacting to the announcement of his interim title fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324.

“If the UFC won't let me move up to welterweight to fight Islam, I would really like to fight Islam in the third weight category. Let's see, maybe I'll have one more fight [against Paddy Pimblett]. Then in summer, there's a date when they'll let me move up to welterweight, and I'll fight for the third belt.Or maybe they'll create a new belt called the pound”

– for-pound title at a catchweight. So I'll fight for the pound-for-pound belt. Let's see, plenty of options - via an interview with Álvaro Colmenero, laying out scenarios for a super-fight with Islam Makhachev.

“I think the UFC will decide soon. We have at least three or four contenders now. Soon, probably in about two weeks, it will be clear who the next challenger will be... [Garry] is a good fighter... [but] he didn't surprise me yesterday. If he surprised the UFC, then maybe he will be next”

– addressing Russian media, regarding potential welterweight title challengers Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov.