Sean Brady sees Jack Della Maddalena as a game opponent for Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Belal Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) to claim the welterweight title in Saturday's UFC 315 main event at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Anatoly Malykhin believes that Islam Makhachev’s lightweight dominance won’t just transfer over to the welterweight division. He believes that the pound-for-pound number one could also achieve the same success in the UFC’s middleweight division if he continued to move through weight classes.

After Belal Muhammad was dethroned by Jack Della Maddalena, Dagestani star Islam Makhachev had no hesitation moving up a weight class. In pursuit of a second belt, Makhachev vacated his lightweight title. Meanwhile, Spain’s Ilia Topuria — also chasing double-champ status — will now get his shot at lightweight gold this summer.

Dan Hardy backs UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) impressed Hardy in his title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad (24-4 MMA,

As we know, Islam Makhachev has decided to vacate the UFC lightweight championship and move to the welterweight division. He will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the undisputed 170-pound title, with the decision being made after JDM was able to win the belt from Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.

The UFC Lightweight Champion and pound-for-pound #1 fighter on the planet has been thinking about a move to welterweight for a while and now that his friend Belal Muhammad is off the throne, it’s time for him to finally swoop in.

Islam Makhachev holds the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings — and with good reason. His most recent win, at UFC 311 over Renato Moicano, made him the all-time leader in lightweight title defenses.

Former UFC champ shuts down rumors of Islam Makhachev wishing Belal Muhammad to lose, clarifying his true stance and intentions.