After Jack Della Maddalena startled the world by beating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in Montreal, he opened the gates for the arrival of the Dagestani phenom, the king of the lightweights, Islam Makhachev, in the welterweight division. Makhachev took to his X account as the fight ended and wrote, “Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah, Let’s go!”
Against all expectations, Maddalena triumphed over Muhammad. The victory was a career-defining moment, making him one of the most talked-about fighters in recent months. Before the fight, ‘JDM’ was confident about beating Muhammad, and he did so convincingly. After the fight, he is convinced that he will destroy Makhachev’s reign. Now, the Australian has shocked the MMA world with his recent statement about his next fight.
While sitting down with the sports channel, The West Sport, ‘JDM’ compared his experience against Muhammad to his understanding of Makhachev. He compared both their striking skills, and after what JDM said, most of the fans believe the Aussie is overlooking his greatest challenge yet. Maddalena said, ” I think Islam Makhachev’s a better version of Belal. I think he’s a striker on the feet. I think if we strike on the feet he is more easy than Belal because he’s more of a stay at one stance. He has more of a traditional style.”
The newly crowned welterweight champion further added, “But yeah, he’s the pound-for-pound number 1, so it’s a tough fight, but we’ll just watch all those fights again, and make ourselves a game plan and then just start working at it. From pretty much now, I’m gonna start working on ways to beat him. Different ways to get back to my feet, stuff all the takedowns, but I’m pretty confident I can get this one done.”
So is ‘JDM’ overlooking the Makhachev fight? The consequences of this demeanor can be lethal. How many factors can one weigh in as to why Maddalena shouldn’t overlook the former lightweight champion with four title defenses? We can only hope that he figures it out early.
No matter how ‘JDM’ feels about Makhachev, Islam’s decision to move up to the UFC welterweight division has sparked significant discussion among MMA veterans and analysts. And after witnessing him in his prime glory, fans and veterans are hyped for his 170-pound debut.
Veterans hype Islam Makhachev his clash against Welterweight king
With Belal Muhammad no longer the champion, the path is now clear for Makhachev’s transition to welterweight. As he prepares to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, the MMA community eagerly anticipates how the former lightweight champion will fare in a new weight class. And through his determination and stellar performances, he has established a dominant aura not just between the lightweights but the whole of the UFC.
Former lightweight title challenger and a previous opponent of his, Dustin Poirier, believes Makhachev has the potential to succeed at welterweight. ‘The Diamond’ said, “I think he [Makhachev] would do really good at 170 [welterweight]. He can become the champion at 170, I believe. But, [moving to] 185 is pushing it [a bit too much], I think.”
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_045 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
Top welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry expressed both respect and concern regarding Makhachev’s move, saying, “He can jump the queue if he wants to, he’s Islam Makhachev, he’s the pound-for-pound number one. You’ve gotta give respect when respect is due. And if that man turns up and says ‘I want to be next’, I think everyone in the welterweight division gives the ‘OK’. And I think if you try to argue that, you don’t have respect for the greatest in the world.”
Another welterweight fighter, Carlos ‘The Nightmare Prates, weighed in on Makhachev’s potential impact and said, “Islam is much better than Belal Muhammad.”
If so many fighters are putting him in such high regard, why is ‘JDM’ looking over his next challenge? Is he trying to downplay the hype of Makhachev? Or does he have a game plan to counter his offence? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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