Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s showdown with Jack Della Maddalena appears set for a historic spotlight.
Islam Makhachev is still trying to bulk up for his planned move to the welterweight division to challenge titleholder Jack Della Maddalena later this year. While Makhachev has admitted to some unforeseen struggles in rebuilding his body, the former pound-for-pound king remains on track to make his two-division champion pursuit become a reality.
Makhachev, who hasn’t fought since his final lightweight title defense at UFC 311, recently made a public demand to book the Maddalena fight for Madison Square Garden. The UFC superstar recently updated fans on where things stand with the promotion in making Makhachev’s demand come to fruition.
Islam Makhachev makes big reveal for double-champion pursuit vs. Jack Della Maddalena
As Makhachev prepares for a shot at a second UFC world championship, he supported several of his star teammates at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Makhachev sat Octagonside as fellow Dagestanis Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov and Said Nurmagomedov appeared inside the cage.
While in attendance at Etihad Arena, Makhachev stopped by for a brief interview with a local outlet to update fans on where things stand for his return.
In a recent interview with UFC Eurasia, Makhachev was asked about the state of negotiations for the Maddalena fight.
“We’ve almost agreed on everything,” Makhachev revealed.
“There’s a 90 percent chance the fight happens in November.”
As of this writing, UFC 322 hasn’t been announced for a date and location in November, but the promotion typically hosts an annual pay-per-view card at MSG.
Makhachev and his team fervently denied Maddalena’s request to book the superfight for Australia. Makhachev has fought in a world title fight in Australia one prior time in his career, when he fought Alexander Volkanovski in his first lightweight title defense at UFC 284.
Maddalena captured the UFC welterweight title by outpointing Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 earlier this year. Makhachev opted to vacate the lightweight championship following Maddalena’s win, which was later won by Ilia Topuria.
Islam Makhachev looks to separate himself from Khabib Nurmagomedov with ‘champ-champ’ pursuit
If Makhachev wins a second UFC world title, he’ll make a strong case to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC GOAT debate. Nurmagomedov, who retired with a 29-0 record in 2020, entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA before potentially challenging for a second belt, amid rumored talks for a fight with Georges St-Pierre earlier in his career. Despite several offers to Nurmagomedov to return to the Octagon, the undefeated legend hasn’t budged in his retirement stance.
Nurmagomedov will likely be in Makhachev’s corner for the Maddalena fight, but Nurmagomedov could potentially walk away from coaching in the next year or two.
