Daniel Cormier Names ‘Easily The Hardest Fight’ For Islam Makhachev After UFC 322

Islam Makhachev captured a second belt, this time at 170lbs, at Saturday’s UFC 322 PPV welterweight title headliner at MSG. Logging some 19+ minutes of control time, he had the perfect answer for the crisp Jack Della Maddalena and made him look disheveled and out of place. He has proved all doubts wrong about carrying his weight as a welterweight and has started out dominant. However, close friend Daniel Cormier sees one 170-pound UFC contender who could be a wrinkle in his reign.

Many, including JDM himself, were dejected at the gigantic split going into the UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev PPV headliner, pegging the former champ as a low underdog. Now 28-1 MMA, Islam Makhachev has proven he’s not just a lightweight phenom or a sambo specialist, but a true martial artist and double champion.

After 4 defenses and a 15-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight, the Dagestani starts out at welterweight with a win over a big name. Many are thus wondering, with JDM defeated, who could be a good challenge for the new king. Per Daniel Cormier, Shavkat Rakhmonov is the man to keep an eye on.

Shavkat Rakhmonov is the guy that I think about – and I go, ‘Man…that is…that is a crazy fight to think about, …Islam vs. Rakhmonov. The size of Rakhmonov, the wrestling ability of Rakhmonov, and the striking; I thought last weekend would have been the toughest fight of his career. He clearly proved that wasn’t the case. I think, though, if he was to fight Shavkat, that would easily be the hardest fight of his career.

Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy (@ESPNMMA)

The former UFC 155-pound king, Makhachev, now ties with Anderson Silva [16] for the longest win streak in the promotion. He overcame the Aussie scrapper and many before him to elongate his reign. When it comes to pure MMA and pound-for-pound skills, Makhachev earns his bread with heart. However, the prospect challenger is no joke either.

Shavkat Rakhmonov hands Ian Machado Garry his first MMA loss with a unanimous decision win at #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/RKVS3eJPwE

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2024

Shavkat Rakhmonov (undefeated at 19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is sitting an inch close from being the title challenger. He cemented his No. 1 contender role with a win over Ian Garry at UFC 310; Rakhmonov was to face Belal Muhammad for the gold but could not, due to injury. Up until Garry, Rakhmonov touted a 100% finish rate (8-0 (T)KO/10 submissions along the way).

Islam and his team had rated Muhammad as a bigger all-around threat at welterweight, but agreed Rakhmonov commands respect as a big challenge. ‘Nomad’ is big in the frame and has taken care of technical strikers and wrestlers alike. While he hasn’t fought since the UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura PPV event, the #4-ranked Kazakh welterweight might just find his way to gold.

Are there others, though?

Daniel Cormier casts doubt on title run of surging 170-pounders after UFC 322 win

Garry and Muhammad duke it out at Qatar very soon; after his injury layoff, Shavkat Rakhmonov is in the queue as the former, dreaded boogeyman, and still the best stylistic test. Barring them, two more options etched their names for a near title contention. However, UFC Hall of Famer and PPV commentator Daniel Cormier has reserved his doubts.

Michael Morales and Carlos Prates added to the deep gravy and titular reset after the UFC 322 PPV event. The undefeated 26-year-old Morales took care of top-ranking contender Sean Brady with a flashy win. Meanwhile, Prates knocked the wind out of former welterweight king Leon Edwards with a second-round blow.

These two, or the Garry vs. Muhammad fight, could provide a clear 170lbs top contender. A win over a former champ, or a top contender who beat a former champ, is a good sell. But, ‘DC’ sees a bigger pool, with big names, that can result in a shutout for this duo.

This kid’s 19-0 and he just knocked out the No. 2 guy in the world in the first round [too]…In most cases, Morales would be easily identified as the next guy for a championship opportunity. Unfortunately…[for now]…he’s in what may be the deepest weight class in the UFC [right] now.

Daniel Cormier on his Official YT Channel

With Islam Makhachev making history as the 11th UFC double champ, he’d be looking for bigger names, or even former champs. He already once angled for a legacy fight with Kamaru Usman, who himself broke his dry spell this summer at UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley.

Who will his first defense be against? 👀@MAKHACHEVMMA is looking at a bunch of potential options for 2026 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JyCJUpDWxs

— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2025

If Muhammad wins the #UFCQatar Fight Night at ABHA Arena, Doha, Qatar, he can make the case for a second bid at gold. So can Garry, who gave Rakhmonov a tough run and also defeated Prates. They are also bigger names to fight, if not as big a legacy name as Usman.

ALSO READ: Coach Tells Jack Della Maddalena Not to Underestimate Islam Makhachev’s Striking For UFC 322 Fight