Islam Makhachev is in a weird spot. We all know that the lightweight champion has long dreamed of getting his hands on another belt. But then his friend and part-time Team Khabib member Belal Muhammad sits atop the throne. Anyone else, and Makhachev would have jumped up already. So he can’t challenge for the 170-lb title. However, if Muhammad was not on the throne, and let’s say his UFC 315 opponent Jack Della Maddalena was, you could be sure of Makhachev moving up without batting an eye. So does Islam Makhachev root for Maddalena at UFC 315?
Not likely. Of course, Makhachev would like to see his brother-in-arms win, but then his chance to challenge for the title diminishes. On the other hand, Della Maddalena is the ideal opponent. It’s now or never. Meanwhile, ‘JDM’ foresees himself fighting Islam Makhachev. Why? Because he said he would welcome the Dagestani phenom to the division in his possible first title defense after beating Belal Muhammad.
While appearing on the The Grin Reapers podcast, Maddalena talked about beating Belal Muhammad in the UFC 315 main event and then possibly taking on Islam Makhachev. But the Aussie does not see this a gift for the Russian, instead he sees it as a revenge he wants to take from Makhachev for beating his fellow countryman, Alexander Volkanovski.
“Yeah, that would be nice. Yes, that would be a great story like, Volk’s revenge. Anything is possible. Get through Belal and the opportunities will present themselves”. Indeed that would be quite the storyline—a role reversal, where Della Maddalena exacts revenge on Makhachev, for Volkanovski. That scenario would be supremely poetic, considering it was the Australian’s featherweight champion counterpart who did the exact same—move up a weight class and challenge for the belt above.
Quite an interesting situation to be in, for all three folks. Islam Makhachev and Belal Muhammad are friends, but Makhachev can currently only challenge for the title if Muhammad loses. Meanwhile, Jack Della Maddalena wants to fight the lightweight champion to exact revenge for Volkanovski. As of now, his winning will make moves for not just himself but Makhachev as well. If Makhachev was a betting man (which he isn’t), he’d probably put his money on ‘JDM’
Jack Della Maddalena holds the keys to Islam Makhachev’s double-champ success
If history is evidence of anything, it’s that overlooking your challenge can prove quite lethal. With a threat like Muhammad on the horizon, it can be rather criminal of Maddalena to focus on anything else. ‘Remember the Name’ has made a career full of accolades and glory through his suffocating and intense wrestling, and currently, no one seems to have an effective counter-offense to stave off the welterweight champion. As Maddalena has already started speculating his title defenses, its fair to speculate what happens if he doesn’t win against Muhammad.
Although it seems unlikely for many, Islam Makhachev and team have all to gain if Maddalena ends up with the welterweight title. Even the Dagestani team considers Belal a friend and expects him to beat the Australian, the chances for a fight between Makhachev and Muhammad are bleak. Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov while talking about the possible clash said: “We put relationships over titles. That’s how we do it here.”
‘The Eagle’ basically let it be known that as long as ‘Remember the Name’ is the welterweight champion, we may not see Makhachev compete for the welterweight title. And Muhammad’s intentions with Maddalena can only spell trouble for both the Aussie and the Dagestani. And when we put it that way, it’s safe to say Maddalena holds the fate of both his and Makhachev’s in his hands.
While it will surely be a huge accolade to beat Muhammad, Maddalena has to look at this fight like he has a huge mountain to climb, only if he can conquer this peak can he look over to see the horizon in front of him. Makhachev will be looking at this fight closely. But Muhammad’s only option in this fight is to spoil both their dreams.
Heading into this fight as the favorite, ‘Remember the Name’ has never overlooked his opponents, nor has Makhachev. But it can surely prove lethal for Maddalena, being the underdog, to already overlook the giant ahead. Can Jack Della Maddelena overcome the odds and beat Belal Muhammad? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
The post Islam Makhachev Finally Gets His Dream’s Confirmation as Plans After Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.
