Islam Makhachev is reportedly closing in on a deal to headline the first numbered UFC pay per view of 2027, according to. The outlet reports that the fighter is close to locking in his second defense of a 170 pound title, though no opponent has been named yet.

According to, Makhachev made the jump up from lightweight and grabbed a welterweight belt by outpointing Jack Della Maddalena, then made his first defense this past August. That win keeps him unbeaten in the division and pushes his Elo rating to 1629 across seven tracked bouts in our system, according to, a number that reflects just how dominant his resume looks on paper.

As for timing, Makhachev was direct with about when he wants this one done. "We have to fight before Ramadan, 100 per cent," he said, pointing to a clear window for the promotion to build around if the booking firms up.

Meanwhile, the chatter around Makhachev's title picture has fans buzzing for a different reason. A thread on r/MMA is circulating comments from Roberto Soldić's manager, who says Soldić's new UFC deal runs five fights, with a bout against Khaos Williams as the first step toward a possible run at the welterweight belt and, eventually, a shot at knocking out Makhachev himself. Nothing there is official, but it gives fans another name to watch as the division sorts itself out behind the champion.