At this point, Islam Makhachev is already regarded by many as the GOAT of the UFC Lightweight Division, having claimed the record for the most title defences in the division’s history with four, after his victory against Renato Moicano back in January at UFC 311.
And that legacy has a chance to be well and truly solidified in the coming months if he does eventually return to lightweight – having vacated the title and moved up to welterweight back in May – and fight current champion and pound for pound #1 fighter, Ilia Topuria.
However, according to his mentor, friend, and former lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, a move back down to lightweight to fight will not be his hardest test yet.
Instead, speaking to journalist Adam Zubayraev, Khabib postulates that by far his biggest future challenge will in his fight against the current UFC Welterweight Champion, Jack Della Maddalena, who beat Belal Muhammad to become the champ back in May.
Khabib calls Jack Della Maddalena the toughest opponent of Islam Makhachevâs career. ð²ð¥
“I think Jack is the toughest opponent of Islam’s career. If I were preparing Islam for either Ilia or Jack, Iâd be more concerned â and I am more concerned â about Jack.”
(via⦠pic.twitter.com/gw707wx9xp
â Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 22, 2025
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Khabib ‘Concerned’ About Upcoming Maddalena Test For Islam
“I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam’s career,” Nurmagomedov said on Zubayraev’s Hustle Show, posted on Tuesday, “that’s my opinion. Not Charles, no one else. None of those other fighters.”
When subsequently asked whether he thought Ilia would be a bigger threat to Makhachev than JDM, Khabib pointed to the size discrepancy between the two fighters.
“That’s just my personal opinion. First of all, Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia. He’s twice as big. 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 were preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, Iâd be more concerned â and I am more concerned â about Maddalena.”
Is JDM More Of A Threat To Islam Than Ilia Topuria?
Khabib’s words certainly ring as both a praise of JDM and a warning for the multi-time champion Russian. Having faced multiple championship-quality opponents, and helped prepared others like Islam and his cousin, Umar, to fight in undisputed championship fights, Nurmagomedov well and truly knows a threat when he sees one.
Moving up generally puts the lighter fighter at a slight disadvantage, as they are now smaller relative to the west of the weight category than they would have been at their previous weight class – although we have seen many examples to the contrary (read: Alex Pereira).
And JDM is certainly bigger than Ilia and has exceptional striking, as shown in the Belal fight earlier in the year. If Makhachev cannot get him down, then the former lightweight champion will have significant problems.
But Topuria also has the air of invincibility about him; a Connor McGregor-esque feeling that every time he gets in the ring, someone is going to get knocked.
Both will be substantial tests, and hopefully we get to ultimately see both fights play out in the not-too-distant future.
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