Dana White’s cryptic promise of “something special” for Islam Makhachev set the UFC rumor mill ablaze. During the UFC Saudi Arabia post-event presser, the head honcho was asked the following question. “You said you are preparing something special for Islam. Is it in his weight class or another weight class?” White responded by saying, “As soon as we will announce it, you will know.”

At the center of the speculation storm sat a potential super-fight that has fight fans salivating. A showdown with featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ has never hidden his ambitions to challenge for Makhachev’s lightweight throne. The Georgian-Spanish sensation has been vocal about moving up to 155 pounds. And that too with the swagger of an undefeated record and a championship pedigree.

However, Makhachev’s notably lukewarm response to these challenges tells its own story. The Dagestani champion’s reluctance to embrace this matchup has caught the attention of MMA analysts, including Chael Sonnen, who believes White’s surprise may lead down a different path altogether.

“Dana made a comment four days ago on Islam and he said we have something really special for Islam’s next fight, none of us know what that means. I cannot begin to believe that something really special for Islam’s fight is that he got to fight a ’45 pounder. I can’t imagine that that wouldn’t be special to Islam. That would be a super fight, it wouldn’t be special to Islam,” ‘Uncle Chael’ told fans on his official YouTube channel.

Indeed, Makhachev himself wants to move up and is not really interested in Topuria. The Dagestani’s team has pointed out that a win over the featherweight champ won’t do much for Makhachev’s legacy. Even if it will be a smash hit among fans. On the other hand, Makhachev winning another belt at a higher weight class has massive implications. It may be enough to put him at least on the margins of the GOAT conversation.

Not to mention the Dagestani has already slayed a featherweight champion. And that too in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, as Sonnen pointed out. “He’s already fought a ’45 pounder. He’s already fought a ’45 pounder as a world champion. He already fought a ’45 pounder that was a world champion and the reigning number one pound for pound. Like there would be nothing special about that for him,” he added.

But then again, just because we don’t think Topuria-Makhachev would be special for the Dagestani doesn’t mean the UFC doesn’t think it would be special. And there are indications that the UFC has offered Makhachev a Topuria fight.

Islam Makhachev reveals details about Dana White’s special offer

What would really be special for Islam Makhachev is if the UFC allows him to move up and fight for a second belt as the Dagestani desperately wants. But will they? Well, apparently the UFC has made Makhachev an offer. But it doesn’t seem to be for a second belt at a higher weight class.

“I can’t announce it yet, but there is an offer that we need to sit down with the team and think about because there are options. We need to decide together what to do… There is an option in my weight class, and there is an offer from the UFC, but let’s wait for now,” Makhachev told Russian sports outlet ‘Match TV’ a few days ago.

You will notice the lightweight champ doesn’t sound too thrilled about the aforementioned offer. If the Dagestani was indeed offered to fight for a second belt, he probably wouldn’t have to discuss it with his team. It would have been a pretty quick yes. The other notable thing Makhachev revealed is that he had one offer in his own weight class.

This implies the other option is not in his weight class. And since we don’t think it is at a higher weight class, that realistically only leaves Topuria. What do you think about Chael Sonnen’s take on Islam Makhachev’s ‘special’ fight?