Speaking at the UFC 322 post-fight press conference late on Saturday night, newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev responded to call-outs from contenders Ilia Topuria and Michael Morales, declaring “I will make it easy” as he sets his sights on defending his new 170-pound title.

Makhachev secured the welterweight crown at UFC 322 with a dominant decision victory over former champ Jack Della Maddalena and immediately addressed the growing list of challengers in the division: “Everybody … This is the most competitive division right now, welterweight … a lot of young guys who fought today. Next week, a couple of guys [Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry] are going to fight. Also Kamaru [Usman], [Ilia] Topuria, all killers want to take my belt. I don’t give it up.” according to MMA Fighting.

When asked directly about Topuria’s critique of his title-win performance, Makhachev responded: “No injury, nothing, I don’t feel any pains. I am ready. Who’s going to be next? Let’s do this and I will make it easy. Today, I showed … that’s why I prepared so hard, to make this easy.”

On Morales’ recent comments about his grappling dominance, Makhachev said of the unbeaten fighter who scored a finish of top-ranked Sean Brady at the event: “Same thing everybody says: I’m going to knock out Islam … If I stay, they’re going to knock me out. But I’m going to try one time, two times, three times … I told you guys in welterweight I don’t think someone can stop my wrestling.”

Going forward, Makhachev’s claim to a dominant run at welterweight positions the UFC to match him with a top contender — whether that ends up being Topuria, Morales or another high-profile name — with his next defence expected to add further clarity to the division.