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Tag: Islam Makhachev

  • UFC 322: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Staff Predictions

    UFC 322: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Staff Predictions

    The UFC brings a pair of super title fights to its annual November pay-per-view outing in New York City this Saturday for UFC 322. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.

    The event will be available exclusively on ESPN pay-per-view on Saturday, November 15. The main card will begin at 10pm ET, with preliminary card action kicking off at 6pm ET.

    The main event will see the UFC welterweight championship on the line as Jack Della Maddalena defends against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

    Della Maddalena has won 18 straight fights since dropping the first two of his professional MMA career. This includes a perfect 8-0 record in the Octagon, which includes wins over Kevin Holland Gilbert Burns. This is JDM’s first title defense since defeating Belal Muhammad to capture the gold at UFC 315 in May.

    The 27-1 Makhachev spent most of the last approximately three years as UFC lightweight champion, capturing the title with a win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. He defended the belt against Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano before vacating the title to move up to 170.

    A similar situation can be found in the co-main event of the evening, as Valentina Shevchenko puts up the women’s flyweight championship against Weili Zhang in a battle of the UFC’s top-two women’s pound-for-pound combatants.

    Shevchenko is in the midst of her second reign as flyweight champion, reclaiming the gold in a trilogy bout with Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306. Shevchenko retained the title against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315. Zhang is a former two-time women’s strawweight champion, reclaiming the title with a win over Carla Esparza at UFC 281 and defending it successfully against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez.

    The rest of the main card will see a welterweight battle featuring Sean Brady and Michael Morales, another welterweight scrap with former champion Leon Edwards facing Carlos Prates, and a lightweight battle that sees Beneil Dariush take on Benoit Saint-Denis.

    UFC 322: MMA News Staff Predictions

    With UFC 322 just a couple of short days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.

    Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through 11 cards in 2025.

    Thomas Albano (30-21)
    Ryan Jarrell (28-23)
    Pranav Pandey (27-24)

    And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 322!

    Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

    Images: UFC.com

    Thomas Albano: When Beneil Dariush got re-booked against Renato Moicano at UFC 317, with Moicano coming off the last-minute title shot at the start of the year, I thought that was going to spell the end of Dariush’s time in the top 10 of the lightweight contender rankings. But somehow he was able to pull through and come out on top.

    I doubt lightning strikes twice here. Benoit Saint-Denis has proven to be a strong, durable, and scrappy fighter in this weight class. He has looked great even in his losses the past couple of years. BSD is going to have the advantage in terms of both size and striking. Both men have noteworthy grappling abilities, with Dariush holding a particular edge in this regard. If Dariush can’t get BSD to the ground, however, I don’t think he’s able to hold up well against Saint-Denis’ strikes. (Prediction: Saint-Denis)

    Ryan Jarrell: I am all the way back in on the BSD hype train after seeing what BSD did in his last fight which was an extremely impressive win over top prospect Mauricio Ruffy. Dariush is a tough well rounded veteran, but at this stage of his career I’m not sure he can hang with Benoit if he is at his best. As long as the ‘God of War’ shows up like he did against Ruffy, I definitely expect him to overwhelm and beat up Dariush over three rounds and he may very well find the finish. (Prediction: Saint-Denis)

    Pranav Pandey: Dariush regained his footing after two tough knockout losses by earning a solid decision over Renato Moicano, and he showed he still has high-level skills. But at this stage of his career, I feel like the margins are getting thinner for him, and facing someone like Saint Denis is far from ideal.

    “God of War” brings youth, power and a ruthless finishing instinct. Dariush has never been the type to back down or fade, but when I weigh their momentum, I end up leaning toward BSD taking this one. (Prediction: Saint-Denis)

    Consensus: 3-0 Saint-Denis

    Welterweight: Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates

    Images: UFC.com

    Thomas Albano: I think this is a situation where Leon Edwards has everything to lose and Carlos Prates has everything to gain. Edwards’ two most recent fights – against Sean Brady and Belal Muhammad – have not been his best showings. And now he has to face Prates, who has proven himself to be a dangerous striker – even in his loss to Ian Machado Garry earlier this year. There are two things that can turn this fight in Edwards’ favor. Firstly, if he makes this more of a technical striking matchup than trying to match power for power, Edwards can win this fight. Secondly, if he can spend time on the ground with Prates and bring him to the mat, Edwards can win this fight. Prates and the Fighting Nerds are in need of some major momentum to come back to their side, and if he can defeat Edwards here by managing the power of his strikes well, that will be what is needed. (Prediction: Prates)

    Ryan Jarrell: Carlos Prates’ stoppage win over Geoff Neal was truly remarkable. It was important for ‘The Nitemare’ to remind the MMA community just how scary he truly is, especially after suffering his first loss inside the octagon to a game Machado Garry. This matchup with Leon will be a strikers delight and could very well steal the show as fight of the night. Leon is very technical and will definitely give Prates some problems early on as the two tussle to find one another’s timing. But to me, the difference will be the violent nature of strikes that Carlos always seems to bring to the table. I could see Prates getting a finish but the more likely outcome is Prates landing the more significant strikes and winning a decision over the former champion. (Prediction: Prates)

    Pranav Pandey: Leon Edwards, once riding a remarkable 13-fight unbeaten streak with two title defenses, hasn’t looked like himself lately. In his last two outings, he seemed a step behind, struggling to match the pace and intensity of his opponents. If he hasn’t patched those holes, he could find himself in serious danger here because Prates is the last person you want to give openings to. The Brazilian is a razor-sharp sniper on the feet.

    “The Nightmare” has been tearing through opponents with knockouts. Aside from a tight loss to Ian Garry, he has been nearly flawless. For me, UFC 322 feels like his moment to break through in a big way. I honestly see this matchup leaning in Prates’ favour if Edwards shows the same inconsistencies we’ve seen recently. (Prediction: Prates)

    Consensus: 3-0 Prates

    Welterweight: Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales

    Images: UFC.com

    Thomas Albano: Of all the non-title fights present on this UFC 322 card, this is the one I am struggling with the most. You’ve got two rising names in the weight class who are extremely talented and have some wins over noteworthy names under their belt. This is definitely the fight I have the most uncertainty with and just want to kick back and watch it all happen. Ultimately, Michael Morales is the better, more powerful striker; however, Sean Brady is the better overall performer. This is not a striker vs. grappler battle, but I think it comes to that. If Brady can take Morales’ power and can take him down and neutralize Morales’ offense, the fight is his. But if Brady gets cracked in the same way that Belal Muhammad (of all people) cracked him, that doesn’t spell good news for him. If I had to lean one way, give me Brady to be the one to put the first L in Morales’ career. I will say, however, a win here for Morales, and we might legitimately be looking at someone who can pose a threat to the 170-pound title starting in 2026 or 2027. (Prediction: Brady)

    Ryan Jarrell: I am so excited for this matchup. This is your striker versus grappler fight with huge future #1 contender implications on the line. Both of these guys will be around the top of the division for years to come and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see these two match up again down the line. I was extremely impressed with what Sean Brady did in his wins over Edwards, Burns and Gastelum. Brady will have to be incredibly careful on the feet when entering for a takedown because Morales is a sniper. But I do think we will see somewhat of a grappling clinic put on by Brady throughout fifteen minutes. Morales is a live dog here and could easily catch Sean coming in and close the show. But I’m leaning Brady to continue doing what we have seen lately and smother his opponent en route to a clear victory. (Prediction: Brady)

    Pranav Pandey: Brady looked so dominant in his last performance that he made Leon Edwards appear completely out of rhythm. His consistency stands out, and it genuinely feels like he’s sharpening his game every time he fights. The only real blemish on his record is the loss to Belal, and even then, I believe he simply got caught on an off night.

    Meanwhile, Morales brings serious knockout danger, and he doesn’t need many openings to end a fight. His last two finishes over seasoned veterans Gilbert Burns and Neil Magny were the kind of wins that make you stop and take notice, and he handled both with almost casual ease. If the young Ecuadorian can stay disciplined, keep the distance and avoid being dragged into Brady’s grappling radius, I think he has a very real chance of landing something clean and game-changing. (Prediction: Morales)

    Consensus: 2-1 Brady

    Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang

    Images: UFC.com

    Thomas Albano: I have long been dreaming of this fight, and I am so excited that we’re finally get to see it go down – and on a major world stage like MSG, too. These are legitimately the two best women’s fighters in the UFC now, and this is one of the hardest fights on this card to pick. Ultimately, however, I am going to lean toward Valentina Shevchenko. While Shevchenko has had a couple of down performances over the past couple of years, she has been a consistent mainstay in the flyweight division’s title picture since moving there in 2018. And other than Alexa Grasso catching her with a submission, we haven’t seen anyone bring her down. I don’t think any of Weili Zhang’s recent title challengers have brought her the preparation needed for facing a dangerous striker like Shevchenko – who, remember, moved down a weight class when she moved to 125, rather than Zhang, who is moving up. I think we will see an awesome scrap, but I think Shevchenko does enough to retain her title. (Prediction: Shevchenko)

    Ryan Jarrell: This is such a tough fight to pick. These are two of the absolute best women’s fighters of all time, so the fans should be in for a real treat. I think it’s safe to say Valentina will have the size and strength advantage. While Weili will have the speed advantage on the feet. To me, Weili  has to use her speed and movement to frustrate Valentina on the feet and stuff the takedowns that will most certainly come her way. I think we will see an extremely close fight where Shevchenko steals the 50/50 rounds with a timely takedown and top control. I can see this fight going either way, but I’ll lean Valentina to win a split decision. (Prediction: Shevchenko)

    Pranav Pandey: When I look at this matchup, it feels like one of the most intriguing clashes in women’s MMA right now. Their skill sets line up so closely. With Weili moving up a division, I don’t see toughness being an issue at all. She’s as durable and explosive as they come, and I genuinely believe she can push Shevchenko in ways very few have. “Magnum” has a style that mirrors Valentina’s in many ways. Her striking remains her strongest weapon, yet what really stands out to me is how much her grappling has evolved, even at 36.

    On the other side, Shevchenko has spent years beating the best of the best and establishing herself as one of the greatest women’s fighters ever. She’s still incredibly composed and well-rounded, and she never fades mentally. But even though she regained her belt and defended it, I feel like that untouchable aura she used to have has softened a bit. She hasn’t looked quite as dominant lately, especially against strong grapplers, where she has shown some vulnerabilities.

    If Weili comes in with a smart mix of pressure, level changes and her usual high-paced striking, I think she has a real chance to walk out as a two-division champion. (Prediction: Zhang)

    Consensus: 2-1 Shevchenko

    Welterweight Championship: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev

    Images: UFC.com

    Thomas Albano: I was left jaw-dropped by Jack Della Maddalena, as he was able to stop the takedown efforts of Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 and worked his way to a decision win and the UFC welterweight title. It was a win that shook things up a little bit in the UFC; however, I feel that win might all be for naught with him going up against Islam Makhachev.

    Makhachev, point blank, is one of the best, if not the best, pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. Della Maddalena might have been able to stop the takedown efforts seen in Muhammad’s wrestling, but how many times have we been told (and seen) that Dagestani wrestling is a different kind of animal? JDM is a tough dog when it comes to his boxing, but I doubt he’ll be able to have the same kind of takedown defense success against Makhachev. I expect Makhachev to bring this fight to the ground often and control the action en route to a mid-to-late fight finish and earn UFC gold in a second weight class, furthering his legacy. (Prediction: Makhachev)

    Ryan Jarrell: I just want to be clear and admit that I am a big JDM fan and I am cheering for him to get this win. Having said that, my head is telling me that Islam will become the 11th fighter in UFC history to win a title in two weight classes. JDM had a great performance against Belal, but he really struggled in previous fights against Basil Hafez, Kevin Holland and Gilbert Burns. If JDM had issues against those fighters, then he definitely will against the former 155 champ. I expect the striking and power advantage to lean towards JDM, but Islam does such a masterful job of mixing things up and at the end of the day, his grappling is world class. Because of that, I have to lean towards Islam winning this fight via decision and cementing himself as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Bring on Islam vs Ilia! (Prediction: Makhachev)

    Pranav Pandey: This matchup is one of the hardest calls on the entire card. oth guys are elite in what they do, and the dynamics of this fight make it feel genuinely close. Della Maddalena showed in his last outing that he’s got a rock-solid blueprint for shutting down high-level wrestlers. The way he stuffed Belal Muhammad’s attempts and kept his striking sharp and punishing was a statement. His boxing is crisp, his counters are nasty, and once he finds his rhythm, he’s a problem for anyone at 170.

    But here is the catch. Makhachev is not your typical grappler. Even moving up to welterweight, I do not think strength will be an issue for him. He has built a career on making elite opponents look helpless once he gets his hands on them. And it is not just the wrestling. His ability to blend striking with constant grappling threats is what makes him such a dangerous fighter. That blend could create serious problems for the Aussie champ.

    Still, for this one, I find myself leaning toward Della Maddalena. I think he will be incredibly tough to take down, even tougher to keep down, and confident enough to engage when things get scrambly. Plus, he has a bit of a roadmap in how Alexander Volkanovski approached Makhachev in their first meeting. (Prediction: Della Maddalena)

    Consensus: 2-1 Makhachev

    That’ll do it for our UFC 322 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!

    Also, you can check out the full UFC 322 card below.

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Championship: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
    • Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang
    • Welterweight: Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
    • Welterweight: Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates
    • Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

    Preliminary Card:

    • Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
    • Middleweight: Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
    • Women’s Flyweight: Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
    • Bantamweight: Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Middleweight: Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
    • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal
    • Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline
    • Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico
    • Lightweight: Viascheslav Borschev vs. Matheus Camilo
  • What’s Next After UFC 321? Full Confirmed UFC 322 Main Card For New York On November 15

    What’s Next After UFC 321? Full Confirmed UFC 322 Main Card For New York On November 15

    UFC 321 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 322 in New York City.

    The promotion was in Abu Dhabi last week, where the Etihad Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its tenth numbered event of the year. Of note was a no contest between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, a headline win for Mackenzie Dern, as well as important victories for Umar Nurmagomedov, Alexander Volkov, and Azamat Murzakanov.

    While the aftermath of the October 25 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the heavyweight and women’s strawweight championship title pictures to the welterweight and women’s flyweight championship conversations.

    At UFC 322, which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on November 15, Jack Della Maddalena will defend the UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev.

    This will be the first defense attempt for Jack Della Maddalena after capturing the UFC welterweight championship with a win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. JDM is 18-2, having not tasted defeat since dropping his first two professional MMA bouts in 2016. Prior to the win over Muhammad, JDM had scored a split decision over Kevin Holland and a knockout of Gilbert Burns.

    This will mark Makhachev’s first Octagon bout at 170. He moved up to the welterweight division after vacating the lightweight championship earlier this year. Makhachev, who is 27-1 in his career, defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 to become 155-pound champion and retained the gold against Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano — setting a new UFC record for most consecutive lightweight title defenses.

    Stakes will also be high in the co-main event, as Valentina Shevchenko defends the UFC women’s flyweight championship against Weili Zhang in a long-awaited superfight. Shevchenko defended the title at UFC 315, defeating Manon Fiorot in a competitive outing. It was the first defense of her second reign as flyweight champion, which began after winning a trilogy bout with Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306. Zhang moves up to flyweight after becoming a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion. Zhang’s second reign saw her successfully defend against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez.

    Brady, Nickal, Edwards Set The Stage For Welterweight Title Headliner At UFC 322

    Before Della Maddalena and Shevchenko make their way out to defend their titles, several names will look to make their own statements on the main card for UFC 322.

    This includes Sean Brady, who will be doing battle with Michael Morales. Brady has won three straight since suffering the first loss of his career against Belal Muhammad. Brady most recently fought at UFC London, submitting former champion Leon Edwards. The rising Morales is 18-0 as a pro, including a 6-0 Octagon record. Morales enters off a pair of first-round finishes against Neil Magny and Gilbert Burns.

    Bo Nickal will also be featured on this card, as he takes on Rodolfo Vieira. This marks Nickal’s first fight since getting stopped by Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines in May — the first loss of Nickal’s MMA career. The former NCAA champion had scored wins over Jamie Pickett, Val Woodburn, Cody Brundage, and Paul Craig prior to the loss. Vieira, a former ADCC and submission grappling world champion, has won three of his last four, entering this fight off a decision over Tresean Gore in August.

    The main card is scheduled to open with former welterweight king Leon Edwards taking on Carlos Prates. Edwards lost the championship to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 and then was submitted by Sean Brady at UFC London, marking the first time in his career he enters a fight off consecutive losses. Prates enters this fight off a highlight knockout of Geoff Neal at UFC 319 in August.

    Those pairings have currently gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the likes of Beneil Dariush, Benoit Saint-Denis, Roman Kopylov, Gregory Rodrigues, Erin Blanchfield, and Angela Hill, all of whom are expected to be featured players on the event’s preliminary card.

    See below for the UFC 322 lineup, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Championship: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
    • Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang
    • Welterweight: Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales
    • Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira
    • Welterweight: Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates

    Preliminary Card (Order TBA):

    • Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
    • Middleweight: Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues
    • Women’s Flyweight: Erin Blanchfield vs. Tracy Cortez
    • Bantamweight: Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon
    • Middleweight: Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert
    • Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline
    • Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico
  • Islam Makhachev Is Seeking New Haters

    Islam Makhachev Is Seeking New Haters

    UFC star Islam Makhachev has joked about needing new haters in the wake of receiving praise from former opponent Dan Hooker.

    At UFC 322 next month, Islam Makhachev will move up to welterweight in order to challenge for his second UFC title. He will do so against Jack Della Maddalena, and while many believe that Islam has what it takes to get the job done, it’s also been noted that the size difference could prove to be a problem for him – especially after what JDM was able to do in his title fight with Belal Muhammad, who is also a wrestle-heavy kind of fighter.

    For Islam Makhachev, winning over critics hasn’t always been the easiest thing, but it’s also never really been his primary objective. He goes out there to put on a show, and now, he’s planning on making history by joining an exclusive group of fighters who have been able to win a UFC title in two different weight classes.

    After Dan Hooker recently praised Makhachev for his eagerness to step up to this kind of challenge, Islam couldn’t help but respond on social media.

    Islam Makhachev responds to Dan Hooker praising him

    “Need new haters, the old ones are starting to like me [sunglasses emoji]”.

    Makhachev knows that there’s a real risk associated with facing someone like JDM, but if he can win the fight and do so convincingly, it’ll be pretty hard to argue against him being the number one pound for pound fighter in the sport.

  • Islam Makhachev is Just One Loss Away from “Herding his sheep,” According to Ilia Topuria

    Islam Makhachev is Just One Loss Away from “Herding his sheep,” According to Ilia Topuria

    Ilia Topuria has teased Islam Makhachev ahead of his upcoming title fight against Jack Della Maddalena.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev is one of the best fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He has proven himself time and time again, and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like he has a lot of gas left in the tank. In his next outing at UFC 322, he will attempt to become a two-weight world champion when he locks horns with Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship.

    There’s no denying that this is one of the toughest tests of Islam Makhachev’s career. In equal measure, his sheer dominance at 155 pounds means that many people are feeling pretty confident about his chances of dethroning JDM – rightly or wrongly.

    In a recent interview, Ilia Topuria spoke about the possibility of him locking horns with Islam Makhachev one day.

    Ilia Topuria goes after Islam Makhachev

    “Sorry, I couldn’t remember the word. If Islam loses, he can go back to Dagestan to his farm and continue shepherding his sheep. That’s the word, right? But if he wins, I’ll definitely move up. Definitely. 100%.”

    There is obviously a lot of intrigue behind this fight and what exactly it would look like. Regardless of who you would favor, though, nobody can look past the fact that it would be one of the biggest fights in the recent history of the sport, and that it has the potential to be fight of the year.

  • Islam Makhachev Does Not Have What It Takes to Be a Welterweight Champ Due to One Simple Reason, According to Beneil Dariush

    Islam Makhachev Does Not Have What It Takes to Be a Welterweight Champ Due to One Simple Reason, According to Beneil Dariush

    UFC star Islam Makhachev may lose to Jack Della Maddalena due to the size difference, says UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush.

    Next month at Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev will attempt to become a two-weight world champion. He will do so by going head to head with current champion Jack Della Maddalena, who took the belt off Belal Muhammad. While it was a competitive fight, JDM did an incredible job of overcoming Belal’s wrestling, and the Australian sensation was able to implement his own game plan en route to victory.

    Islam Makhachev, of course, is daring to be great, and he isn’t too concerned about the size difference between him and the man who will be standing across the cage from him. While it’s a big factor in how the fight will go, Islam knows just how dominant he can be both on the feet and on the ground.

    In a recent interview, Beneil Dariush gave his thoughts on how Islam Makhachev will perform at UFC 322 and whether or not he can claim the belt.

    Beneil Dariush questions Islam Makhachev at welterweight

    “I’m going to lean now towards JDM. I just feel like the size will make a difference cardio-wise. JDM has great cardio. Maybe I’m wrong, but now, this is all feel. This is one of those fights where I can’t really give you a clear answer. So I just feel like JDM.”

    Regardless of what happens, you can expect this one to be action-packed and full of drama.

  • Islam Makhachev Will Submit Jack Della Maddalena In The Championship Rounds, According to Former UFC Contender

    Islam Makhachev Will Submit Jack Della Maddalena In The Championship Rounds, According to Former UFC Contender

    Islam Makhachev will finish Jack Della Maddalena in the later stages of their oncoming welterweight title fight according to a former UFC title challenger at 170 pounds. Dan Hardy spoke about this looming fight at Madison Square Garden during a recent interview he did with Helen Yee Sports.

    Islam Makhachev vacated his lightweight belt in the attempt to enter that rarefied air of two divison UFC champions in history when the Dagestan native tries to unseat JDM from his welterweight throne on November 15th. When discussing the machinations of this matchup in Q4 of 2025, Dan Hardy said,

    “I’ve been high on JDM for a long time… His boxing’s always impressed me. But at this point, I feel like Islam’s moving up a weight class at the right time… I don’t think Islam can stay healthy and stay in the lightweight division for any longer. I think right now he’s allowed himself to move into a division where his body’s just going to grow into it.”

    “He’s going to be incredibly powerful. I just think Islam’s all-round game is so problematic for any single fighter. I see him taking it… probably a 50-50 striking exchange, Makhachev winning with a kicking advantage, but then his grappling and wrestling taking over—probably winning by submission in the championship rounds.”

    Islam Makhachev can lose to Jack Della Maddalena if the champ does one thing right, per ex-UFC fighter

    Islam Makhachev is ultimately being picked to win by another former UFC welterweight veteran but that combatant in question does see a way that Jack Della Maddalena can defeat the former UFC lightweight champion.

    Jake Ellenberger is the referenced fighter in question and during a recent interview with Bloody Elbow giving his viewpoint on this UFC welterweight championship bout, Ellenberger stated [via Bloody Elbow],

    “That’s a fun one. [With Islam Makhachev moving up a weight class] that changes the story a little bit.”

    “On paper, it’s hard to bet against Islam. The guy is incredible. When you get to the highest level, it just comes down to strategy: who can build a strategy and implement it when it matters.”

    “That’s a fun one. I’m still leaning towards Makhachev, but there are plenty of ways Jack can win.”

  • Islam Makhachev or Jack Della Maddalena: Who Is The Better Striker? Who Cares, Says UFC Insider

    Islam Makhachev or Jack Della Maddalena: Who Is The Better Striker? Who Cares, Says UFC Insider

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen isn’t interested in the debate regarding who the better striker is between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena.

    At UFC 322 later this year, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev. One of the key components of the fight, in the eyes of many, is the striking game. While we all know Islam has a significant advantage on the ground, JDM is an incredibly precise striker – and that could easily come into play in this fight.

    However, in a recent video, Chael Sonnen laid out an interesting argument regarding why the striking isn’t likely to decide the title clash between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena.

    Chael Sonnen’s view on Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena debate

    “So, what difference does it make who’s better in the standup?… Would you rather hit harder or be able to be hit harder? With four-ounce gloves on, this whole expression about who’s better is really nothing more than an expression. And it’s not the inability of the takedown, it’s the threat of the takedown that changes your standup. 

    “We have seen some of the best and most decorated kickboxers in the world not only lose in the first round, we’ve seen them knocked out on their feet in the first round. And it’s not because the guy was better at the standup. It’s because the kickboxer was scared about the takedown. And it changed his demeanor. It changed his offense. It changed his defense. It changed his posture.”

    “When’s the last time a fight got decided in the standup? And what difference does it make with four-ounce gloves on? It doesn’t matter who’s got the better feints, it doesn’t matter who’s got the better combinations. You don’t want to have to hit a guy five or six times like you do in the sport of boxing. 

    “You want to be able to hit him one time. And if he can’t take a punch correctly, you’re only going to need to hit him one time. But it’s going to look sloppy. It’s going to look like two bums fighting because the things that work in MMA are completely illegal in the sweet science. And that’s just the truth.”

    “It’s the same as it’s been since ‘93 until now. It’s the guy that decides, are we on our feet or are we on the ground. That is your champion. That is your winner of every fight, every time. He’s better in the stand up—what a dork. What’s that even mean?”

  • ‘Slow And Stiff’ – Fans React To Islam Makhachev Polishing His Striking Skills Ahead Of Jack Della Maddalena Superfight At UFC 322

    ‘Slow And Stiff’ – Fans React To Islam Makhachev Polishing His Striking Skills Ahead Of Jack Della Maddalena Superfight At UFC 322

    Islam Makhachev’s preparation is underway for the biggest fight of his career.

    In June, Makhachev vacated his UFC lightweight titleholder to pursue double-champ status by moving up to welterweight. He is now scheduled to challenge reigning 170-pound champion Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event on November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    The 32-year-old Russian has built his reputation on world-class wrestling and suffocating grappling that has overwhelmed countless opponents. However, his next test is expected to be far more challenging, as Maddalena brings a lethal striking arsenal paired with solid takedown defense.

    Makhachev and his team appear fully aware of the danger the Australian champion presents, and they’re leaving nothing to chance. A noticeably bulked-up Makhachev recently shared training camp footage on his Instagram stories, where he could be seen sharpening his striking skills while working the mitts in preparation for the showdown.

    Fans React To Islam Makhachev Sharpening His Striking Before UFC 322

    MMA fans responded with mixed reactions after watching Islam Makhachev working on his striking game ahead of his title clash with Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    While many expressed excitement for the matchup, others downplayed its significance, insisting the former lightweight champion will ultimately lean on his wrestling once again.

    https://twitter.com/WillTheSkillet/status/1963660723625529710
    https://twitter.com/RswAby24/status/1963677902106677419

    Makhachev last competed at UFC 311 this past January, where he made quick work of short-notice replacement Renato Moicano, securing a first-round submission to notch his fourth successful title defense.

    The Dagestani standout is riding an impressive 15-fight win streak, highlighted by statement wins over Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Charles Oliveira. His lone career blemish came nearly a decade ago at UFC 192 in October 2015, when Adriano Martins handed him a first-round knockout loss.

    Islam Makhachev
    Image: @ufc/Instagram


  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach on The Odds for JDM Fight: “Who Cares”

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach on The Odds for JDM Fight: “Who Cares”

    Islam Makhachev‘s head coach Javier Mendez doesn’t agree with the odds for his UFC 322 title fight against Jack Della Maddalena.

    In the main event of UFC 322, Islam Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. If he’s able to pick up the win, he will join an elite group of fighters who have been able to win UFC world titles in two different weight classes.

    Of course, it’s going to be easier said than done. Islam Makhachev has been a dominant world champion at 155 pounds for a good few years now, but even with that being the case, going up 15 pounds in weight is an entirely different ball game. That’s especially true when coming up against someone like JDM who is riding a huge wave of momentum after his title triumph over Belal Muhammad.

    In the eyes of the bookmakers, Islam Makhachev is a solid favorite to defeat Jack Della Maddalena. Javier Mendez, though, doesn’t agree with the odds – and he doesn’t particularly care about them either.

    Islam Makhachev’s coach isn’t bothered about UFC 322 odds

    “I saw the odds and we’re favored by a little bit more than I think we should be, but regardless, that’s the odds. Who cares? Bottom line is we as coaches know, we have a super, super tough fight in front of us with a fighter that can do it all. And it’s just going to be a matter of how we can make him break and how we can stop him from utilizing any of the mistakes we may make, you know. So, let’s see. But, uh, we have a very tough opponent in front of us.”

  • Islam Makhachev has everything to lose at UFC 322, says former UFC champion

    Islam Makhachev has everything to lose at UFC 322, says former UFC champion

    UFC legend Robert Whittaker believes Islam Makhachev has everything to lose when he faces Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev will headline UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden when he challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. While many believe he is the favorite to walk away from New York City with the belt, others are of the belief that JDM is being underestimated.

    In a recent episode of his podcast, Robert Whittaker had the following to say on the pressure currently resting on the shoulders of Islam Makhachev.

    Robert Whittaker’s view on Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

    “Jack has nothing to lose, and I think Islam’s got everything to lose,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “He’s the hottest prospect right now in MMA. Everyone expects Islam to just run through him.”

    “I think what was unexpected was the relinquishing of the lightweight title,” Whittaker said. “I expected it in a sense that because Topuria did it, people would have to follow suit, but Islam’s kind of like the poster boy right now for the UFC in terms of like megastar sort of things. I didn’t see them doing that.”

    “I’m going to go Jack,” Whittaker said. “I think Jack has that X-factor. I think he has the gut, the grit, the determination to fight the takedowns, to fight the takedown attacks that Islam is going to go for, and I think in a striking fight straight up, Jack is better. I think he wins in the hands. 

    “I think Jack’s got the better game to strike over five rounds than Islam does, as well, especially if Islam is trying to go for takedowns during the fight. People sleep on Jack’s grappling game. They sleep on his jiu-jitsu.

    “I don’t think Islam is going to be as gung-ho with the takedowns as everybody believes because Jack has that level of offense off his back. From the things I remember seeing in the (Alexander Volkanovski) fight, their first pairing, I see the fight potentially going that way.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev: Sean Brady backs the champion

    UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady believes that Jack Della Maddalena has what it takes to defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.

    In the main event of UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena will take on an incredibly tough assignment. He will be locking horns with Islam Makhachev, who is moving up from 155 pounds in order to try and win a second world title. While a lot of people are backing Islam to get it done, JDM is the kind of fighter who has proven the masses wrong before – and on multiple occasions.

    The rest of the welterweight division, understandably, will be watching closely to see how it plays out. In a recent podcast appearance, Sean Brady explained why he favors Jack Della Maddalena here.

    Sean Brady backs Jack Della Maddalena

    “I think it’s a lot tougher of a fight for Islam than people are giving Jack credit for,” Brady said on UFC Unfiltered. “Jack’s very hard to hold down. He’s a big body, hits like a freight train, has knockout power and he’s showed that getting someone down doesn’t mean d*ck. Can you hold him down? Jack’s really good at creating scrambles, getting back to his feet, separating the hands. Like, we’d seen that with Belal.

    “Gilbert (Burns) did better at taking Jack down than Belal did. He had better positions on him, but I don’t know. Selfishly for me, I want Islam to win because I want to fight Islam for a legacy thing, and I think I can beat Islam. I think I can beat anybody in the world, and I want my grappling to go against his grappling and see who’s better. I really would love for that to play out. But if I had to pick, and I know Jack would be the underdog, I would pick Jack.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Announced For UFC 322 Main Event, Weili Zhang To Vacate Title And Challenge Valentina Shevchenko In Co-Main Event

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev Announced For UFC 322 Main Event, Weili Zhang To Vacate Title And Challenge Valentina Shevchenko In Co-Main Event

    The UFC will be returning to New York’s Madison Square Garden for UFC 322 on November 15, featuring a pair of what could be considered championship superfights to headline the night.

    The main event will see Jack Della Maddalena make his first defense of the UFC welterweight championship, as he faces the challenge of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

    JDM, an alumnus of Dana White’s Contender Series, has gone unbeaten in professional MMA since dropping his first two fights. His rise up the welterweight ranks ended in successful fashion with a win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May to claim the UFC’s 170-pound title.

    Makhachev became UFC lightweight champion with a submission of Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. He defended the title four times, defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice, as well as defeating Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, before vacating the belt — now held by Ilia Topuria — earlier this year.

    Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko vs. Weili Zhang Official For UFC 322

    Like the stories of Makhachev and Topuria, Weili Zhang will be vacating her strawweight championship and challenging Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title in the UFC 323 co-main event — a battle of the top two-ranked pound-for-pound women’s fighters in the UFC today.

    Shevchenko initially won the women’s flyweight championship at UFC 231, defending the belt seven times before her trilogy with Alexa Grasso that saw her lose and regain the title. Shevchenko defended the belt earlier this year at UFC 315, defeating Manon Fiorot.

    Zhang, a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion, began her second run with the gold by submitting Carla Esparza at UFC 281, which was also held at Madison Square Garden. She has since successfully defended the title against Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez.

    UFC 322 will also feature former welterweight champion Leon Edwards in action against Carlos Prates. Edwards lost to Sean Brady earlier this year in his first fight since dropping the belt to Belal Muhammad. Prates, meanwhile, scored a highlight knockout of Geoff Neal just a couple of weeks ago at UFC 319.

  • Islam Makhachev’s retirement: Khabib gives honest opinion of his timeline

    Islam Makhachev’s retirement: Khabib gives honest opinion of his timeline

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on a potential timeline for the mixed martial arts retirement of Islam Makhachev.

    At the age of 33, Islam Makhachev has already achieved some incredible things in the sport of mixed martial arts. Now, though, he’s hoping to take things to a whole new level as he prepares to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. If he wins, he would join an exclusive club of fighters who have won UFC world titles in two different weight classes.

    One question that has been circulating recently is also a pretty important one: when will Islam Makhachev retire?

    Nobody knows for sure but in a recent interview, Islam Makhachev’s close friend and long-time training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov provided some insight.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov discusses Islam Makhachev’s eventual MMA retirement

    “Islam maybe, my honest opinion, one and a half, two years because [his] age [in] October is going to be 34. Nobody is going to be [the] same. When time comes, they don’t ask what’s your name… When you become 35, you need to stop doing this because [you should] leave this sport for young guys.

    “When you become 35 and you don’t finish, somebody is going to finish you. Why? It’s better to finish. After 35, you’re never going to be the same. People can talk whatever they want, when you’re past your prime, you [are] going to fight only for money.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    Enjoy him while you still can, folks.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Claims Islam Makhachev Will Challenge Jack Della Maddalena At UFC 322

    Khabib Nurmagomedov Claims Islam Makhachev Will Challenge Jack Della Maddalena At UFC 322

    Islam Makhachev has been expected to challenge for the welterweight championship since those rumors first surfaced early this year. And now, it appears Khabib Nurmagomedov may have dropped a hint of the timeframe.

    During a recent sit-down (video courtesy of The Cornell Combat Sports Show), Nurmagomedov said that, as rumors have indicated, Makhachev will challenge reigning welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

    Rumors are UFC 322 is being planned for November 15 at — per usual with the UFC’s pay-per-view schedule — New York’s Madison Square Garden.

    Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena At UFC 322 Confirmed By Khabib Nurmagomedov?

    Makhachev will be stepping up to welterweight for this bout, as planned when it was announced by UFC CEO and President Dana White that he would be vacating the UFC lightweight title.

    The lightweight title would end up going to Ilia Topuria, who bested Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 back in June. Topuria vacated his own featherweight title in the process, as he had planned since last year to challenge Makhachev. Plans changed, however, following Della Maddalena defeating Belal Muhammad for the 170-pound title at UFC 315 in May.

    Makachev originally won the lightweight title in a bout against Oliveira at UFC 280. Makhachev defended the title successfully a record four consecutive times, defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano.

  • Bryce Mitchell Trolls Said Nurmagomedov After UFC Abu Dhabi Win – ‘Send Him 2-3 Years Arkansas And Forget’

    Bryce Mitchell took a jab at Said Nurmagomedov with a playful spin on a viral catchphrase.

    On Saturday, Mitchell made a successful return to the bantamweight division, earning a dominant unanimous decision win over Nurmagomedov on the UFC Abu Dhabi preliminary card at Etihad Arena.

    “Thug Nasty” opened aggressively but paid for it early, eating sharp counters and suffering a knockdown. Nurmagomedov followed up with a massive flying knee that floored him again, but Mitchell managed to recover and survive the onslaught.

    In the second and third rounds, Mitchell leaned heavily on his wrestling, scoring timely takedowns and controlling key positions. He ended the final round in back control, sealing the deal with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in his favor.

    Image: @UFCNews/X

    Bryce Mitchell Uses Islam Makhachev’s Viral Catchphrase To Taunt Said Nurmagomedov

    On Sunday, Bryce Mitchell took to Instagram and posted a story where he fired shots at Said Nurmagomedov, repurposing Islam Makhachev’s infamous catchphrase to mock his Dagestani opponent after a grappling-centric showdown.

    “Thug Nasty” borrowed a page from the former UFC lightweight champion’s playbook, flipping the iconic “Send him 2-3 years Dagestan and forget” into his own hilarious twist: “Send him to Arkansas, 2-3 years and forget about it.”

    In a past interview with UFC Hall of Famer and former training partner Daniel Cormier, Islam Makhachev jokingly suggested that if parents wanted their child to become an elite wrestler, they should “send them to Dagestan for two to three years and forget.” The tongue-in-cheek remark has since taken on a life of its own, becoming a widely recognized meme within the MMA community.

    Bryce Mitchell entered UFC Abu Dhabi looking to rebound from a tough second-round submission loss to Jean Silva at UFC 314, a setback which led the Arkansas native to make the cut down to bantamweight. Before securing his win over Nurmagomedov, “Thug Nasty” had dropped three of his last five UFC outings, with each of those defeats coming via stoppage.

    UFC Insider Predicts Serious Repercussions For Bryce Mitchell’s Hitler-Sympathizing Remarks
    Image: @thugnasty_ufc/Instagram
  • Islam Makhachev’s coach agrees with Khabib that Jack Della Maddalena is his toughest fight

    Islam Makhachev’s coach agrees with Khabib that Jack Della Maddalena is his toughest fight

    Islam Makhachev‘s coach Javier Mendez agrees with Khabib Nurmagomedov that Jack Della Maddalena will be the toughest opponent of Islam’s career thus far.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev has vacated his UFC lightweight championship in order to pursue a world title in a second weight class. He’ll be doing so up at welterweight, and in all likelihood, he’ll be facing Jack Della Maddalena for the belt – the current world champion.

    Recently, Khabib Nurmagomedov noted that he believes Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher opponent for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria.

    As it turns out, Javier Mendez agrees with that theory, saying the following when it comes to Islam Makhachev’s chances in the bout.

    Javier Mendez’s thoughts on Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena

    “I’m going to have to one million percent agree with Khabib, I think this is our toughest test,” Mendez told MMA Junkie. “This is my and Khabib’s biggest responsibility to make sure we get Islam in tip-top shape and ready to do what we think and what we believe he will do, and that’s win, but it’s not going to be easy.

    “If we make it look easy, it’s because we were properly prepared, and Jack just happened to give us what we needed, but this is by no means a walkover fight. This is a really tough fight, and we have immense respect for Jack and their team and what they can do.”

    “I think what makes JDM so dangerous No. 1 is he’s unbeaten for quite a while,” Mendez said. “He’s had quite a long win streak, and the fact that this guy mixes it up extremely well. He goes to the body, to the head, and he doesn’t just stick to head hunting. He mixes it all up. He goes body, punch, then also the kick comes.

    “With him, his takedown defense is really, really good also. So, we are not in a situation where we can think we’re going to go to the ground. No, we got to see what he’s going to give us, and probably we’re going to have to make him give us something because I don’t know if he’s going to. He’s really that good.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Jack Della Maddalena is tougher fight for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria, says Khabib

    UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has emphasized that he believes Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher fight for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev is moving up to the welterweight division in order to try and win a world title in a second weight class. While many believe he can achieve that goal, others are of the opinion that Jack Della Maddalena is simply too big and imposing for Islam to defeat – with Jack himself also falling into that category.

    Someone who also knows just how good Jack Della Maddalena is, seemingly, is Khabib Nurmagomedov. In a recent podcast appearance, Khabib made it clear that this isn’t going to be a walk in the park for Makhachev as he attempts to make history.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Jack Della Maddalena

    “I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam’s career,” Nurmagomedov told Hustle Show. “That’s my opinion. Not Charles (Oliveira), no one else. None of those other fighters. Not even Ilia, if that fight were to happen. That’s just my personal opinion.

    “First of all, Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia. Taller, bigger, stronger legs, bigger frame. His boxing is just as good. And, in grappling, he scrambles really well if you’ve watched him. For me, if I was preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I’d be more concerned about Maddalena.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

    Regardless of whether or not you agree, there’s no denying that this going to be absolutely fascinating to watch unfold.

  • Islam Makhachev’s welterweight move: Stephen Thompson provides interesting analysis

    Islam Makhachev’s welterweight move: Stephen Thompson provides interesting analysis

    UFC legend Stephen Thompson has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev‘s impending move from the lightweight division to welterweight.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev is no longer the UFC lightweight champion. He gave up that belt in order to pursue a second world title up at 170 pounds. It’s an achievement that only a handful of fighters have to their name, and Islam wants to join that incredibly exclusive group.

    We all know that Islam Makhachev is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today, and he’s also one of the pound-for-pound best. Alas, adding 15 pounds is certainly going to change the conversation, especially when going up against a guy as formidable as Jack Della Maddalena.

    In a recent interview, welterweight Stephen Thompson gave his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s decision to make the switch.

    Stephen Thompson’s view on Islam Makhachev’s welterweight switch

    “Well, number one, if I was in the top-five, I would be very upset that this guy who just got the title is already looking at somebody from a different division,” Thompson told MMA Fighting. “If it was me who, if I’m in the top-five, more deserving than this guy coming up, like I’ve been waiting here.

    “Now, I think it’s a good fight,” Thompson explained. “I think it’s a very tough fight for Islam Makhachev coming up. [Della Maddalena’s] a bigger guy, a guy with great takedown defense, and a guy who just won the title from somebody very similar to himself in Belal Muhammad. Cardio for days, strong grappling background.

    “I do believe that Islam has a better striking than than Belal does, so I think that would be interesting, but I think it’s a very tough fight for Islam, for sure.”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Jack Della Maddalena Says Islam Makhachev is Simply Too Small to Beat Him

    Jack Della Maddalena is confident that his size will be too much for Islam Makhachev to overcome in their inevitable title clash.

    As a lightweight, Makhachev’s strength and stature proved to be a problem for practically everyone. But now, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ is stepping into a whole new world. After watching JDM snatch the welterweight title away from Belal Muhammad in May, Makhachev announced that he would be vacating his 155-pound crown in a bid to move up and challenge Della Maddalena for his newly-won gold.

    Oddsmakers are already favoring Makhachev to come out on top, with lines currently listing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege as a 2-to-1 favorite over the Aussie. However, Della Maddalena sees things a little differently.

    During an in-cage interview at Eternal MMA 97, JDM suggested that Makhachev may be a bit undersized for the welterweight division, and vowed to exploit that to exact revenge for his countryman, Alexander Volkanovski.

    “Yeah, it’s the dream first title defense—pound-for-pound number one,” Della Maddalena said. “Get him back from V. We saw what V did to him. I’m going to get him. He’s too little. He’s too little! I’m going to get him!”

    Can Della Maddalena Do What ‘The Great’ Couldn’t?

    Volkanovski famously moved up twice from his post as the featherweight champion to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight championship in 2023. The first time around, Volk nearly pulled off the upset, delivering one of the best fights of the year.

    Unfortunately, their second scrap wasn’t near as close. Stepping in on short notice, ‘The Great’ suffered a brutal head-kick KO just past the three-minute mark of the opening round, effectively ending his dreams of becoming the fifth fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously.

    Makhachev went on to submit both Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano before relinquishing his lightweight belt to try and conquer another weight class.

    No official announcements have been made regarding when and where Makhachev will meet Della Maddalena, though the Dagestani recently suggested that the UFC’s return to the world’s most famous arena — Madison Square Garden — could be the perfect setting for their highly anticipated showdown.

  • UFC 317 Star Ilia Topuria Says Islam’s Move Is About Surviving the Cut: “It’s Not Ducking – It’s Burnout”

    UFC 317 Star Ilia Topuria Says Islam’s Move Is About Surviving the Cut: “It’s Not Ducking – It’s Burnout”

    Ilia Topuria has said that he doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev is ducking him by moving up to the welterweight division.

    This weekend, Ilia Topuria will attempt to become a two-weight world champion when he takes on Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship. Islam Makhachev, meanwhile, will try and do the same thing later this year when challenging Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight strap.

    The hope from many was that Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev would be a fight that happens for the UFC lightweight championship. Unfortunately, for now, that hasn’t quite come to fruition.

    In a recent interview, Ilia Topuria responded honestly when discussing whether or not he thinks Islam ducked him.

    Ilia Topuria doesn’t think Islam Makhachev is ducking him

    “I don’t think he’s ducking me, to be honest. I would be lying to you if I told you that he’s ducking me. I think he’s tired of the weight cut. He wants a new challenge. He moved to the welterweight division, failed, and thinks that he has a chance to become a double champion. I think this is all he’s trying to do. 

    ”I think that not a lot of people understand how hard the weight cut is. When you get tired of the weight cut, there’s no name in the world that motivates you to fight. There’s no money in the world—you just want to take care of your health. This is the reason why I switched weight classes, and I think he’s doing the same thing.”

  • Javier Mendez: Islam Makhachev Was Never in Khabib’s Shadow He’s the Next All-Time Great

    Javier Mendez: Islam Makhachev Was Never in Khabib’s Shadow He’s the Next All-Time Great

    Islam Makhachev‘s coach Javier Mendez does not believe that he was ever in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s shadow, despite what some may say.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev has carved out a pretty remarkable run for himself as UFC lightweight champion. Now, however, he’s going in pursuit of a second world title, which would truly cement him as one of the all-time greats. For the longest time, he’s been compared to his close friend and training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is a legend in his own right.

    Of course, the two are very different in the way they approach the sport of mixed martial arts, but it’s certainly an interesting debate to have. In a recent interview with Genting Casino – who offer the best Live Casinos, the aforementioned Javier Mendez gave his thoughts on the idea that Islam was ever in Khabib’s shadow.

    Javier Mendez discusses Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov

    “I think he’s already done that [stepped out of Khabib’s shadow] but I had never looked at him as in Khabib’s shadows. I just looked at him as the next great one under his father’s tutelage.

    “I never looked at him [as a protege] following Khabib. He’s just following his father’s game plan of what he wanted from these boys. His father stated on many occasions he wanted Islam to be champion after Khabib was retired.”

    You may or may not be a fan of Islam Makhachev, but one thing is for sure – he’ll go down as one of the greatest lightweights to ever do it when it’s all said and done.

  • Islam Makhachev’s Trainer Believes He’s Ready to Prove He Can Outstrike Jack Della Maddalena On the Feet: ‘We’ve Beaten Them All’

    Islam Makhachev’s Trainer Believes He’s Ready to Prove He Can Outstrike Jack Della Maddalena On the Feet: ‘We’ve Beaten Them All’

    Islam Makhachev‘s coach Javier Mendez believes that there’s a chance his student could beat Jack Della Maddalena on the feet as well as on the ground.

    Over the course of the last few years, Islam Makhachev has ruled with an iron fist at the top of the UFC’s lightweight division. Now, however, he’ll be making the shift up to welterweight, in order to try and win a belt at 170 pounds to go alongside his accomplishments at 155. Of course, it’s going to be easier said than done, especially because he’ll have to defeat reigning welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena – which is no small task.

    The expectation is that Islam Makhachev will challenge for the title later this year. When he does, many will back him to win, but we also know that JDM was the underdog against Belal Muhammad, and look how that turned out.

    In a recent interview with Genting Casino – who offer the best Live Casinos, Javier Mendez spoke about the strengths of Islam Makhachev ahead of this fight.

    Javier Mendez discusses Islam Makhachev vs JDM

    “I used to let Islam spar with guys at that weight all the time, top guys at 170 lbs, and he beat them all. He’s not going to have a problem at 170 lbs.

    “185 lbs may be a little bit of a stretch because they’re a lot bigger. But 170 lbs have never been a problem with him. I think Islam will definitely edge Jack out on the ground, but we may very well edge him out on the stand up also, so let’s see what happens.”

    “Jack’s such a tough customer that we can’t analyze and think that we’re better in one particular area. We’re gonna have to prove we’re better – and practice extremely hard –  in all of these areas.”

  • Trainer: Islam Makhachev Didn’t Want to Vacate But UFC Forced His Hand to Avoid Bottlenecks

    Trainer: Islam Makhachev Didn’t Want to Vacate But UFC Forced His Hand to Avoid Bottlenecks

    Islam Makhachev‘s coach Javier Mendez has said that his student wasn’t particularly happy with having to surrender the UFC lightweight championship.

    As we know, Islam Makhachev is set to move up to welterweight and challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the title. While there’s a lot of excitement over that possible matchup, others are upset that we won’t get the chance to see Islam defend the lightweight crown against Ilia Topuria. Either way, though, there’s a lot of excitement on the horizon in both divisions as we look ahead to the future.

    Some wondered why Islam Makhachev gave up the belt in the first place. In a recent interview with Genting Casino – who offer the best Live Casinos, Javier Mendez made it clear that Islam didn’t really want to give up the 155-pound strap.

    Javier Mendez discusses Islam Makhachev vacating belt

    “I would definitely agree Islam didn’t want to give up his title, but let’s face it at the same time, I believe the UFC is tired of the divisions being held up by two division champions.

    “It causes a bottleneck and the type of situations the UFC wants to avoid for the future, so if Islam wanted to go for the welterweight title, he had to relinquish his lightweight title. And so that was the case.”

    “I don’t think Islam will return to 155 lbs [to face Topuria] no. I don’t think so.”

    Hopefully, at some point, we do get the opportunity to see Makhachev vs Topuria in what is easily one of the biggest fights you can make in mixed martial arts.

  • ‘Ilia Topuria Beats Islam Makhachev’: Top-Ranked UFC Star Makes Shock Prediction For Superfight At 155

    ‘Ilia Topuria Beats Islam Makhachev’: Top-Ranked UFC Star Makes Shock Prediction For Superfight At 155

    A top UFC bantamweight contender believes Ilia Topuria would hold the stylistic upper hand in a potential lightweight clash against Islam Makhachev.

    Topuria relinquished his UFC featherweight crown in February in an effort to secure an immediate superfight with reigning lightweight champion Makhachev, aiming to etch his name in history as a two-division titleholder. However, the Dagestani offered a lukewarm response to the proposed superfight.

    Instead, Makhachev is set to vacate his 155-pound belt as he shifts his focus to the welterweight division, where he plans to challenge current champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year. With the lightweight strap now up for grabs, “El Matador” is slated to square off against former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant title in the headlining bout of UFC 317, scheduled for June 28.

    Although Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev appear to be headed down vastly different career trajectories, with little likelihood of their paths crossing inside the Octagon anytime soon, one former UFC interim bantamweight title challenger believes that if the stars were to align, the undefeated Spaniard has owns the style and sharpness to edge out a win.

    Former UFC featherweight Ilia Topuria.

    Cory Sandhagen Claims Ilia Topuria Has Tools To Trouble Islam Makhachev

    During a recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast, Cory Sandhagen weighed in on a potential lightweight bout between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. “Sandman” acknowledged Makhachev’s status as one of the sport’s premier grapplers but suggested that the former UFC featherweight champion’s elite takedown defense and striking prowess could tip the balance in his favor.

    “If Ilia and Islam fight at 155, I honestly think Ilia would win that fight,” Sandhagen said. “His stature is going to be hard to take down for Islam, and if those two are standing, I just think Ilia is a way, way more dangerous guy standing. I can’t really see Islam hurting him because his guard is real good.”

    “El Matador” was last seen in action at UFC 308 in October, where he successfully defended his featherweight title with a third-round knockout of former champion Max Holloway. Meanwhile, Makhachev’s latest outing came at UFC 311 in January, where he successfully defended his lightweight belt with a first-round submission victory over Renato Moicano. 

    Dustin Poirier Backs Ilia Topuria For Immediate Lightweight Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev
    Images: @iliatopuria/@islam_makhachev/Instagram
  • “Lock Him in with a Gorilla, The Gorilla Might Not Come Out”: Islam Makhachev’s Team Breaks Down Welterweight Move

    “Lock Him in with a Gorilla, The Gorilla Might Not Come Out”: Islam Makhachev’s Team Breaks Down Welterweight Move

    Islam Makhachev has officially vacated his UFC lightweight championship to move up to the welterweight division, where he will challenge current champion Jack Della Maddalena. The decision follows Della Maddalena’s recent win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, which cleared the path for Makhachev’s transition to the 170-pound weight class. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the move, noting that Makhachev will receive an immediate title shot in his first welterweight bout.

    Islam Makhachev Moving To Welterweight

    Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, explained that the shift to welterweight was motivated by a lack of remaining challenges at lightweight and a desire to avoid fighting his friend and former champion, Belal Muhammad. Abdelaziz, speaking to Submission Radio, stated, “If Belal had won, Islam was never going to compete against him, and he would have continued in the lightweight division. But now Jack has won. Islam has defeated everyone in this division, truly. He’s on a remarkable 15-fight winning streak, finishing nine of his last ten opponents. No one is more deserving of a shot at a second title than Islam.”

    Islam Makhachev Reacts To Late-Notice UFC 311 Opponent Change: 'It Doesn't Matter Who'
    Image: @ufc/X

    Ali Abdelaziz expressed strong confidence in Islam Makhachev’s abilities at welterweight, suggesting that the move will reveal an even stronger version of the fighter. He said, “I truly believe the Islam we’re going to see at welterweight is going to be a much, much better Islam. He’s the best grappler in the UFC, maybe one of the best wrestlers, and we see he can knock people out too. He’s not just a one-dimensional fighter-he’s the most well-rounded fighter in the UFC today… If you lock Islam with a gorilla in a cage, the gorilla might not come out. This is how good Islam is.”

    Islam Makhachev’s decision to vacate the lightweight title marks the end of a dominant reign. His move to welterweight has been anticipated for years, with teammates noting that he has long considered leaving lightweight due to the strain of weight cutting and a lack of new challenges. The UFC lightweight division will now see Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira compete for the vacant title at UFC 317. Meanwhile, the MMA community will watch closely as Makhachev attempts to become a champion in a second weight class.

    Photo by Tim Wheaton