Makhachev desires to be double champ after Della Maddalena’s UFC 315 win
Jack Della Maddalena defeating Belal Muhammad to turn into the brand new undisputed UFC welterweight champion might find yourself having a ripple impact in two divisions.
Dana White was in Montreal this week and on the pre-fight press convention stated Saturday’s end result would decide the following opponent for the present light-weight champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the UFC roster, Islam Makhachev.
“Time to turn into a double champion,” Makhachev posted to social media minutes after the UFC 315 major occasion concluded. “Let’s go.”
The considering heading into the occasion was if Muhammad had defended the title, the UFC would put collectively a Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria light-weight title battle, which might headline UFC 317 at Worldwide Battle Week in the summertime.
Muhammad had beforehand said he wasn’t all in favour of going through Makhachev because the two are pleasant and have educated collectively previously. That’s why a Muhammad vs. Makhachev was not an choice.
However, if a brand new champ was topped then Makhachev, who has beforehand expressed an curiosity achieve a second title in a special weight class, would transfer as much as the 170-pound division to problem Della Maddalena after which Topuria would as an alternative face former light-weight champion Charles Oliveira.
The group has but to announce the principle occasion for the upcoming UFC 317, which is scheduled for late June in Las Vegas.
White wrapped the belt round Della Maddalena’s waist, nonetheless the UFC president didn’t attend the post-fight press convention. The UFC’s senior VP of Worldwide and Content material, Dave Shaw, did as an alternative.
“I don’t know what the choice is, however I think you’ll hear extra this week,” Shaw stated.
Makhachev is 27-1 with 15 consecutive victories and is the No. 1-ranked fighter on the UFC’s pound-for-pound record.
Two of Makhachev’s light-weight title defences had been in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski who tried to turn into a two-weight champion on two events however misplaced to Makhachev each instances.
“I imply it’s a stupendous problem. He’s pound-for-pound No. 1. I’m gonna get him again for Volk,” Della Maddalena stated within the cage when requested a couple of attainable battle with Makhachev whereas referencing his fellow Australian.
