Jack Della Maddalena recognizes that a victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, securing him the welterweight championship, would send significant ripples through the division. A major factor in this scenario involves UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev has openly stated his ambition to become a two-division champion, though previously not at the expense of his friend and teammate, Belal Muhammad. However, Della Maddalena taking the belt changes the landscape, and the Australian fighter acknowledges Makhachev as potentially the most compelling challenger for the title.
Della Maddalena believes Makhachev deserves a shot if he moves up to welterweight. While his general opinion is that fighters should defend their current belts before pursuing a second, he notes that Islam has successfully defended his lightweight title four times, a record in that division, making his case for a welterweight shot understandable.
Despite potential remaining matchups at lightweight for Makhachev, Della Maddalena feels that certain high-profile fights, such as a champion versus champion showdown, transcend standard rankings and would be exciting.
He admitted that while an immediate title shot for Makhachev at 170 pounds might be frustrating for other top contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, and Ian Machado Garry, he feels that in Islam`s specific situation, it “makes sense” despite the disruption to the division.
Della Maddalena understands the frustration for fighters waiting in line but suggests that subsequent fights among contenders could clarify the pecking order if Makhachev isn`t the immediate next opponent. He stated he would be ready to face the next deserving fighter if needed.
He described the contender landscape as “tight,” acknowledging Shavkat Rakhmonov as the current “clear No. 1 contender” when healthy and available. However, he stressed the importance of keeping the division active, noting that if Rakhmonov remains sidelined, others like Brady or Garry will step up. He emphasized the need for contenders to face each other and expressed a desire to defend his title quickly after UFC 315, ideally within eight weeks.
Having been out of action for over a year following an arm injury sustained in his 2024 victory over Gilbert Burns, Della Maddalena is eager to fight Muhammad, win the title, and make a swift return to the octagon. He even joked about facing Ian Machado Garry, who is serving as the backup for the main event in Montreal, saying, “After I beat Belal, wrap his hands and send him out there.”
Beyond the immediate challenge, Della Maddalena wants to stay busy as champion. Like the potential Makhachev fight, he wouldn`t turn down the opportunity to defend his belt in his home city of Perth if it arises. He highlighted the narrative appeal of a Makhachev fight in Perth, linking it back to Islam`s previous fight there against Alexander Volkanovski.
Regardless of future possibilities, Della Maddalena remains entirely focused on his upcoming title fight against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, stating that the division is in a good, albeit busy, position.
