Jack Della Maddalena’s reign over the welterweight division was short lived after suffering a crushing defeat to Islam Makhachev on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
The former lightweight king claimed UFC gold to become a two-division champion with a one-sided masterclass over the Aussie in the main event of UFC 322.
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JDM had no answers for Makhachev who dominated with his suffocating wrestling onslaught for the majority of the five-rounder in front of a raucous New York crowd.
“There’s levels to this game,” commentator Joe Rogan said, “and Islam Makhachev’s level is very, very high. We’re looking at one of the all-time greats.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JDM?
The West Aussie star suffered his first professional defeat since way back in 2016 as his title reign came to a screeching halt.
Before the bout, he was confident that he had the skills to neutralise Makhachev’s grappling prowess, but he was proved wrong over and over again.
Della Maddalena spent more than 18 minutes of the 25-minute fight on the canvas being dominated by the Russian – and his performance has been called into question by some biggest names in the sport.
“Jack needs an entire camp dedicated just to wrestling,” posted lightweight champ Ilia Topuria.
“What a disappointment of a champion. You should go to Georgia to learn something.”
Welterweight contender Ian Garry’s assessment of JDM was even more bleak.
“Sending M&M’s and commiserations to you, JDM (Jack Della Maddalena),” Garry posted on X.
“One of the weakest title defenses in UFC history. Your prep looked non-existent.”
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen was also very disappointed in the Aussie’s output throughout the contest.
“I feel Jack underperformed. We were 10 minutes into that fight… Jack hasn’t thrown a punch yet,” he said during ESPN’s post-fight show.
“20 minutes into this fight, he had thrown a total of 31 punches. Of those 31 – only 20 of them landed and most of these were to the body.
“I was waiting for Jack to get going. It was the same position, rinse and repeat.”
Makhachev has made it clear that he is planning to rule the welterweight division for a while, so JDM will need to work on his grappling escapes if the pair ever run into each other down the track.
Unfortunately for the Aussie, the welterweight division is one of the strongest in the promotion with a host of very dangerous 170-pound contenders vying for a shot at the title.
His drubbing by Makhachev is a long way from a career-killer though, with hardly any fighters yet having success against Makhachev’s elite wrestling.
JDM has proven that he belongs among the best in his division – and a good way to remind fight fans of his worth would be to get a win against another big name upon his return.
The most likely matchup after yesterday looks to be against tough American Sean Brady, who was mauled by Michael Morales.
But Della Maddalena might also find himself up against the winner of Belal Muhammad and Ian Garry. Both elite names in the division.
IS ISLAM MAKHACHEV THE GOAT?
No. The win against JDM puts Makhachev in the GOAT conversation, with the new champ tying Anderson Silva’s record for the longest win streak in UFC history.
With the victory he becomes only the eleventh person in history to be a two division UFC champion – and something his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov never dared to do.
UFC boss Dana White certainly believes Makhachev might someday be regarded as the greatest.
“Not the most exciting title fight you’ll ever see, but I’ll tell you what, complete dominance and depending on what we do next with him and what’s going on, this guy is headed toward GOAT talk,” White said at the UFC 322 post-fight presser.
Former champ Henry Cejudo was very impressed with Makhachev and posed the question of where he sits amongst the all-time legends.
“Is Islam Makhachev a top 3 UFC fighter of all-time?” he posted on X.
Most fans reacting to the post put Makhachev among the elite, but didn’t see him on the same level as say Jon Jones or GSP.
WHO WILL MAKHACHEV FIGHT NEXT?
There are plenty of big names in the stacked welterweight division that Makhachev could fight next – and all of them would be intriguing.
Former champ Kamaru Usman is at the top of the list and seems to be the man Makhachev would prefer.
“I still think Kamaru (Usman) can beat both [Morales and Prates]. Kamaru is still dangerous and one of the best in this game,” Makhachev said post-fight.
“If you give me the choice, and ask me who do you want to fight, I will take Kamaru.
“But it’s not my job. Anyone. I will be ready.”
Usman, who is running out of time at age 38, would relish the chance to reclaim the belt.
“I think [with me and Islam] it’s obviously both former pound-for-pound [No. 1 ranked fighters], I don’t think in history it’s ever happened where they go at it,” he told MMA Fighting.
“So I think that’s a humongous fight.
“I think it’s the biggest for sure. You want one of those fights. You want one of those fights that really elevates the division.”
However, the fight that many fans would like to see is against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Unsurprisingly, Topuria wasn’t a fan of Makhachev’s performance on Sunday.
“You’re the most boring thing in this game,” Topuria posted on X.
“Every day I’m more certain I put you to sleep.”
Makhachev didn’t call out Topuria after the bout, but he did say where he wants to do it.
“Open the White House,” he said, referring to the UFC’s 2026 event.
“I am coming.”
Former middleweight champ Rob Whittaker believes Makhachev’s performance was so good that he could even go up another division to middleweight and land a third championship against Khamzat Chimaev.
“I think he [Makhachev] has the size to do that [move to middleweight],” Whittaker told the MMArcade Podcast.
“Maybe, maybe. They’re a different breed, those guys.
“That [a fight between Makhachev and Chimaev] would be huge.
“And then you put that [fight] in Abu Dhabi, it would be wild. Everyone’s winning from that card.”
“Open the White House!” – Islam ECSTATIC | 00:42
MICHAEL MORALES AND CARLOS PRATES ARE BIG THREATS AT 170
Two welterweights put forward strong cases for future title shots on Sunday afternoon with outstanding performances against highly-ranked opponents.
Morales, who is undefeated in the UFC, took out Sean Brady in just three minutes – while Prates surprised many by knocking out former champ Leon Edwards.
“I saw both fights,” Makhachev said at the conclusion of the event.
“Prates, he beat a former champion. Clear knockout. They’re both very good, very tough, young, and I’m surprised how this guy [Prates] who smokes all day, he beat the former champion.”
The Ecuadorian powerhouse believes he will be a good match for Makhachev, but the new champ doesn’t seem too concerned just yet.
“Same thing everybody says: I’m going to knock out Islam,” Makhachev said.
“…I told you guys in welterweight I don’t think someone can stop my wrestling.”
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