Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev wasted no time in challenging the new welterweight king, Jack Della Maddalena, immediately following Della Maddalena`s victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.
Makhachev, the current lightweight titleholder, understood that the outcome of the UFC 315 main event would impact his next steps. With Della Maddalena now holding the welterweight belt, a clear path to challenging for the 170-pound title has opened up for Makhachev. His prior close relationship with Belal Muhammad had previously made this challenge unlikely, but with Della Maddalena as champion, Makhachev appears eager for the move up in weight.
Following the event, Makhachev took to social media, declaring his ambition: “Time to become a double champion. Let’s go.”
He also sent a more direct message to Della Maddalena, who had mentioned Makhachev in his post-fight interview, welcoming the potential fight and noting he`d seek revenge for his friend Alexander Volkanovski.
Volkanovski has previously faced and lost to Makhachev on two occasions, including a second fight ending in a decisive head kick knockout by the Russian.
Makhachev`s message to the new champ was blunt: “You are not Volk. I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean.”
For his part, Della Maddalena reiterated his openness to facing Makhachev at welterweight if that`s the fight the UFC decides to make.
Responding to Makhachev`s specific instruction to “keep my belt clean,” Della Maddalena offered his own message with a smirk.
“Come get it,” Della Maddalena challenged. He added, “I think there are a lot of good welterweights. Obviously, I think Islam what he’s done, I think he deserves the shot if he wants to step up. But I guess that’s not my call, it’s up to the UFC.”
With this initial exchange, it appears the UFC may have an easily marketable potential superfight on their hands for later this year.
