Islam Makhachev etched his name in the history books by earning a unanimous decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. With the win, Makhachev claimed the UFC welterweight championship, adding another title to his collection.
Makhachev completely neutralized Della Maddalena’s striking early in the fight. The Australian landed a few sharp shots, but the Dagestani quickly regained control. He took him down and dominated on the ground.
In addition to his grappling, Makhachev’s calf kicks proved to be effective. Della Maddalena’s right calf was visibly damaged, leaving him compromised. The calf kicks limited the Australian’s movement and contributed to the Dagestani’s overall control.
‘JDM’ struggled to find an answer to Makhachev’s grappling. Despite several attempts to escape submissions, he was unable to reverse the momentum.
All three judges scored the bout 50-45 in favor of Makhachev, marking an impressive performance. After the fight, Makhachev reflected on his victory and what it means to him.
“This is the dream all my life,” Makhachev told Joe Rogan during his post-fight interview. “I’m so happy and I like it. I worked hard for this moment.”
Ilia Topuria Reacts to Islam Makhachev’s Welterweight Title Win at UFC 322
Ilia Topuria reacted to Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 322, but his response was far from complimentary. Topuria, who won the lightweight championship that Makhachev vacated, criticized the Dagestani for his lack of excitement.
The lightweight champion has been vocal about wanting a fight with Makhachev. He took to social media to express his disappointment in Della Maddalena’s performance, claiming he lacked proper preparation. Topuria then turned his attention to Makhachev, claiming he would finish him if they fought.
“Jack needs an entire camp dedicated just to wrestling. What a disappointment of a champion. You should go to Georgia to learn something,” Topuria wrote on X. “Islam, you need something you can’t train: emotion. You’re the most boring thing in the game. Every day I’m more certain I put you to sleep.”
With Makhachev signaling he plans to stay at welterweight, their clash may be off the table for now.
Who Will Challenge Makhachev First?
With Makhachev now holding the welterweight title, a long list of contenders are waiting for their shot. Topuria may be the most appealing option at lightweight. However, there are several intriguing matchups at welterweight.
Michael Morales and Carlos Prates both delivered stunning knockouts earlier in the night. Morales defeated No. 2 ranked Sean Brady by 1st round TKO, while Prates knocked out former champion Leon Edwards in 2nd round.
Another potential challenger is former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He made his return to the octagon in June with a unanimous decision win over Joaquin Buckley. Undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov is also in the mix, but his status will depend on his health.
In addition, Ian Machado Garry will face former champion Belal Muhammad in the UFC Qatar main event next Saturday. Machado Garry has a recent win over Prates, which could help strengthen his argument. If he can secure a decisive win over Muhammad, it could solidify him as the clear No. 1 contender for Makhachev’s title.
Based on the landscape in the welterweight division, Dana White and the matchmakers will have a tough decision to make.
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