It might be just a matter of time before Islam Makhachev moves up a weight class.
The UFC Lightweight Champion has been considering the massive career change for a while now, one of the only roadblocks between him and a second belt being his friendship with current welterweight king Belal Muhammad.
Islam Makhachev has locked in four-straight title defenses at 155lbs, all fights against former featherweights and fellow champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Muhammad’s yet to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena, soon meeting the Australian in the main event of UFC 315 on May 10th.
Riding a 17-fight win streak, Della Maddalena is currently undefeated in the UFC at 7-0 with wins over Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland and Randy Brown.
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Jack Della Maddalena calls Islam Makhachev his ‘dream’ fight
If Della Maddalena’s able pull off the upset next month, it could very well open the door to a potential super-fight with Islam Makhachev.
Della Maddalena says sign him up.
“That would be the dream,” Della Maddalena said of a possible title defense against Makhachev on The Grin Reapers Podcast.
“That’d be nice.
“In Perth, that would be a story,” the title challenger touted a homecoming fight.
Jack Della Maddalena looking to avenge Alexander Volkanovski
Islam Makhachev has fought in Perth once before when he defended his belt against South Wales’ featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 where he won in a controversial decision.
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Makhachev defeated Volkanovski twice, the second time by first-round knockout at UFC 294.
For JDM, Makhachev is more than a legacy fight, it’s a shot at revenge.
“You know it,” Della Maddalena replied to the idea of avenging Volkanovski.
“Anything’s possible but [I have to] get through Belal and opportunities will present themselves.”
