Islam Makhachev Looks to Join Elite Group of Fighters
Jack Della Maddalena shocked the world last night at UFC 315, defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision. Della Maddalena would become UFC Welterweight Champion after a stellar performance that showcased the new champion’s elite striking. Slick counters, superb head movement, and excellent take-down defense would be displayed in the Aussie’s crowning moment. However, there is no rest for champions in the UFC, as Jack Della Maddalena already seems to have his first challenger lined up.
The bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena had massive implications for two weight classes. Not only would the UFC 315 main event answer who the best Welterweight in the world is, but it would also provide answers in the Lightweight Division. Before UFC 315, former Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria announced that he will be fighting at UFC 317 with his opponent being Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev or contender Charles Oliveira. The dominant Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev, would reveal that the winner of Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena would decide his next move. Due to Makhachev’s friendship with Belal Muhammad, if Muhammad were to retain the Welterweight Championship, the Dagestani would remain in the Lightweight Division, potentially defending his Lightweight Championship against Topuria. However, since Della Maddalena was victorious in his quest to capture the Welterweight strap, Islam Makhachev will be moving up to the 170-pound Division in hopes of joining an elite group of fighters.
In 2016, Conor McGregor made history by defeating Eddie Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight Championship. McGregor, who already held the Featherweight Championship, became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championships simultaneously. Since McGregor became the first double champ in UFC history, only three other fighters have been able to achieve champ-champ status. Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, and Amanda Nunes all etched their names into the history books by holding two championships simultaneously. There hasn’t been a fighter to hold two championships at the same time since 2023, when Amanda Nunes retired, vacating both her Bantamweight and Featherweight Championships. Now, the seemingly unbeatable Islam Makhachev looks to add his name to the prestigious list of double champions.
It is all but confirmed that Jack Della Maddalena’s first defense as the UFC Welterweight Champion will come against Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena called Makhachev out after he won the belt, stating that he is seeking to avenge fellow Aussie Alexander Volkanovski’s loss to Makhachev. Della Maddalena’s fight against Belal Muhammad proved just how good the new champion is. Most importantly, Della Maddalena proved he could defend takedowns consistently against a high-level wrestler such as Muhammad. Islam Makhachev employs a ‘wrestle first’ gameplan, though the Dagestani’s striking is also elite. The inevitable fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev should be one of the best fights of the year.
