The crowd was still reeling from Jack Della Maddalena’s electrifying showcase at UFC 315 when Islam Makhachev finally made his move. For years, the idea of capturing a second title had quietly simmered beneath the surface—a dream never quite out of reach, but one that just needed the right moment. That moment seemed to arrive when the welterweight crown slipped from Belal Muhammad‘s hands, cracking the door open just enough for Makhachev to step through. The Dagestani had waited, some might say too long, but now the landscape had shifted, and he was ready to strike.
Just moments after the main event wrapped, Makhachev took to X with a cool, calculated message—sharp and confident. He posted, “Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah Let’s go.” For over a year, Makhachev had quietly voiced his desire to move up and chase welterweight gold. However, the big question is whether the Dagestani champion could successfully move to a new division.
The 33-year-old is without a doubt one of the most skillful grapplers in the history of the sport. But size and strength will play a massive role in the welterweight division. Well, that’s what Stephen Thompson feels might pose a challenge to the lightweight champion. During a conversation with Submission Radio, the 42-year-old shared his honest opinion about the move. ‘Wonderboy’ feels Makhachev will struggle against the new champion Maddalena if he gets the fight next.
He said, ” I don’t know, man, when you’re going up to the welterweight division, those are some big boys. And I know Islam Makhachev walks around fairly heavy, but a lot of these 170s walk around real heavy. I mean, I think like the height, I think they might be the same height. I think JDM might be a little taller, but when it comes to those guys and their strength, Islam, I think is going to have a tough time.”
‘Wonderboy’ added, “Now, do I think he could get it done? Yes. I think he’s that good of a grappler, but like I said, JDM has faced some of the best welterweight grapplers and wrestlers in the division, Belal being one of them. I think it’s going to be a tough night for him.”
January 18, 2025, Inglewood, California, USA: ISLAM MAKHACHEV 27-1-0 of Makhachkala, Russia defeats RENATO MOICANO 20-6-1 of Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil by submission DÃââ Arce choke at 4:05 of round 1 during UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California Inglewood USA – ZUMAo117 20250118_zsp_o117_030 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
With the road now clear and a more stylistically favorable champion sitting on the welterweight throne, Islam Makhachev’s pursuit of double gold is very much alive. What it needs is just a green signal from the UFC. Going by the current record of Makhachev, the champion has dismantled every opponent he has faced inside the Octagon. However, looking at the performance of JDM against Muhammad, one can definitely feel that the fight will be a treat for the fans. Moreover, the new champion is not rattled by the call-out. Rather, he is ready to face it head-on.
Jack Della Maddalena has some unfinished business with Islam Makhachev
After a year on the sidelines recovering from a brutal broken arm, the newly minted champion returned with a vengeance. He was sharper, faster, and more refined than ever. Maddalena dismantled the reigning titleholder with pinpoint striking, graceful movement, and airtight defense. Even when ‘Remember The Name’ managed to drag the fight into his realm with grappling exchanges, Maddalena stayed composed. He flipped the script and avoided any real danger. The judges saw it clearly—his dominance was undeniable. But it seems he is now all set for his upcoming challenge.
During his post-fight interview, Maddalena was asked to share his take on the Makhachev callout. Without a doubt, JDM said, “It’s a beautiful challenge,”. He further added, “He’s pound-for-pound No. 1. I’m going to get him back for Volk.” That callout only poured gasoline on a fire already starting to blaze. Volkanovski’s back-to-back defeats at the hands of Makhachev left a mark on the Australian MMA community.
However, now Jack Della Maddalena has the perfect chance to answer—not through talk, but through action. For Makhachev, this isn’t just another step toward legacy—it’s a dangerous gamble against a sharp, unpredictable striker who won’t be easy to contain.
That’s exactly what makes this clash so compelling. Jack Della Maddalena’s crisp boxing and fluid footwork could challenge Makhachev’s grappling game in ways we haven’t seen before, creating a stylistic puzzle that’s anything but predictable. Will the pair fight against each other next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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