Mendez agrees with Makhachev on former five-time defending UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) being the ideal first title defense.

A respectful rivalry between welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev still required Dana White to keep a close eye on things after the fighters competing in the UFC 322 main event refused to break eye contact during a tense faceoff on Thursday.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev revealed his unwavering loyalty to mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, stating he would retire immediately if Khabib advised him to. Makhachev considers the former undefeated champion his older brother and guiding force,

Although Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is challenging welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday's headliner (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+/FX, ESPN+) at Madison Square Garden in New York, Cormier sees a lot at stake for his former teammate.

Legacies are on the line Saturday at UFC 322 as two fighters look to join the exclusive group of fighters who have held UFC championships in two different weight classes. In the main event, former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moves up to welterweight to challenge champion Jack Della Maddalena.