Islam Makhachev is keeping his options open when it comes to conquering a second division.

The reigning UFC lightweight champion recently broke the promotional record for most successful defenses of the 155-pound title with a one-sided submission win over short-notice replacement Renato Moicano at UFC 311. Makhachev was originally scheduled to fight Arman Tsarukyan, but Tsarukyan withdrew due to a back injury less than 48 hours before fight night and UFC CEO Dana White said he doesn’t plan to re-book that matchup right away.

That leaves Makhachev with no obvious opponent for his next title defense, so MMA Fighting’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter has his eyes on becoming a two-division champion. His friend and sometimes training partner Belal Muhammad currently rules the welterweight roost, which means Makhachev is willing to jump up one more weight class to face Dricus du Plessis instead, if the opportunity arises.

“My height allows [a move to middleweight],” Makhachev told Ushatayka. “I think my physical data allows it, too. I just need to work with my specialists, gain muscle mass, add a little weight. I think I can try. As I already said at the press conference after the fight, if they offered it to me tomorrow and say they will give me time to gain weight, I would not turn it down. I would 100 percent agree to fight at middleweight.

“I’m not saying that I have a better chance, that I can 100 percent finish du Plessis, but watching his fights, watching his style, I think I have the keys to victory.”

Makhachev has been on an incredible run since suffering his lone loss to Adriano Martins in October 2015. He has won 15 straight fights, including five championship bouts, and his record stands at 27-1.

Du Plessis has proven to be just as indomitable. The South African star is 7-0 in the UFC, with his past three wins being title fight victories over middleweight greats Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. He is currently set to rematch Strickland at UFC 312 on Feb. 8 in Sydney.