Islam Makhachev might soon move up to welterweight.
The UFC Lightweight Champion has been thinking about changing weight classes for some time. The main thing stopping him from aiming for a second title is his friendship with Belal Muhammad, the current welterweight champion.
Islam Makhachev has defended his lightweight title four times in a row, all against Alexander Volkanovski, a former featherweight champion.
Belal Muhammad is scheduled to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10th.
Della Maddalena is on a 17-fight winning streak and is undefeated in the UFC with 7 wins, including victories over Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Randy Brown.
Jack Della Maddalena Wants to Fight Islam Makhachev
If Della Maddalena wins his next fight, it could lead to a big fight with Islam Makhachev.
Della Maddalena is eager for this matchup.
“That would be the dream,” Della Maddalena said about potentially defending his title against Makhachev on The Grin Reapers Podcast.
“That’d be nice.”
“In Perth, that would be a great story,” he added, hoping for a fight in his home country.
Jack Della Maddalena Seeks Revenge for Alexander Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev has fought in Perth before, defending his title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in a controversial decision.
Makhachev has defeated Volkanovski twice, the second time with a first-round knockout at UFC 294.
For Della Maddalena, fighting Makhachev is about more than just legacy; it`s also about getting revenge for Volkanovski.
“You know it,” Della Maddalena responded to the idea of avenging Volkanovski.
“Anything’s possible, but I have to get past Belal first, and then opportunities will come.”
Rupert Hartwell