Jack Della Maddalena is definitely willing to defend his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev.
Maddalena is fighting Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 315 next month. There`s a strong rumor that lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is considering his next move based on this fight. Makhachev is friends with Muhammad and would not move up to welterweight if Muhammad wins. However, if Maddalena wins, it`s expected Makhachev will challenge him first, which Maddalena is completely fine with.
Maddalena mentioned in a Grin Reapers YouTube channel interview that fighting Makhachev would be “nice.” He added that fighting in Perth would create a good storyline, especially with the “Volk revenge” angle. He said they need to focus on the Belal fight first, but opportunities will arise after that.
Alexander Volkanovski has a history with Makhachev, having lost to him twice in lightweight title fights last year. Although Maddalena and Volkanovski aren`t from the same training camp, they are both Australian and have trained together, including recently when Volkanovski was preparing for his UFC 314 fight against Diego Lopes. Maddalena greatly respects Volkanovski and his impact on Australian sports.
Maddalena stated he believes Volkanovski might be “Australia`s greatest athlete,” admitting he`s biased. He feels even if Volkanovski had not won his recent fight (UFC 314), he would still be in the conversation, but after winning, he definitely deserves to be considered.
Maddalena will headline UFC 315 against Belal Muhammad on May 10th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.
