Islam Makhachev has recalled Dan Hooker's calls for the referee to end their UFC 267 meeting after his arm was nearly broken during the opening round.
The Russian cemented his status as a leading contender in the lightweight division with a dominant victory over Hooker in Abu Dhabi at the weekend.
And his elite-level ground game carried him to glory again after submitting his opponent in the opening round with a brutal Kimura Lock submission.
Makhachev later recalled Hooker's screams to get the fight stopped earlier with the crowd noise preventing the referee from hearing his desperate verbal tap.
"I think he himself underestimated my finishing ability," Makhachev said in the post-fight press conference. "I went for Kimura and he started backing up trying to defend it.
"And at that moment you can rewatch it, Khabib told me to step over his head. As I did both of his hands were under me and he started screaming 'stop, stop it!'
"I could hear him but the referee didn't because of the noise that the crowd were making at that moment, and I have even seen a picture of him being annoyed with the referee who didn't stop it on time.
"I really hope he isn't injured and if he is I wish him a speedy recovery."
Makhachev has been touted as one of the brightest stars in the UFC and he further displayed his credentials with the early stoppage.
And Hooker quickly discovered Makhachev's finishing technique with his arm visibly close to snapping in an extremely tight hold just two minutes into the first round.
Makhachev's team including close friend Khabib Nurmagomedov have tipped him to challenge for the world title in the coming years.
But the 30-year-old is adamant he is ready for an immediate shot at the belt and is confident his finishing ability can be a match for anyone.
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"I knew when I take him down, I can finish anyone," Makhachev continued. "My grappling level is better than everyone in the division. MMA ground game, I have the best in the division.
I'm ready for a title fight. It doesn't matter. This division is a little bit sleepy. I woke up this division. I'm coming to take this belt and keep this belt many years."
Naturally Makhachev has now been linked with a whole host of names including Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and currently injured star Conor McGregor.
And he is seen as the heir to the 155lb throne where his mentor Nurmagomedov was an undefeated champion before retiring last year.
He formed an intense rivalry with McGregor during their historic contest at UFC 229, with Makhachev expected to follow in his footsteps and chase a bout with the Irish star.
But Makhachev's manager Ali Abdelaziz expects Makhachev to settle the family feud in the future with McGregor in a huge pay-per-view showdown.
And he has also claimed McGregor would s eek a prison sentence as opposed to taking on the Russian in the cage.
