Islam Makhachev reacts to Jack Della Maddalena win at UFC 315: ‘Time to become double champ’

Lightweight champion Makhachev made it clear that he intends to challenge new welterweight champion Della Maddalena next.

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Islam Makhachev didn’t waste any time before commenting on the results of the UFC 315 main event between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.

For months Team Makhachev has been waiting for May 10th to see who would leave Canada with the welterweight title around their waist. If Muhammad kept the belt, Makhachev would stay at lightweight and potentially face former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria. If Della Maddalena won, Islam planned on moving up.

It was Jack Della Maddalena that ended up winning, putting on a gritty masterclass of precision striking to defeat Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision with 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 scores (watch the highlights here). During his post-victory interview with Daniel Cormier, Della Maddalena was asked about potentially fighting Makhachev next.

“It’s a beautiful challenge,” Jack said. “I’m gonna get it back for Volk.”

Makhachev declared his intent to go right for the new 170 pound champion. “Time to become a double champion inshallah,” he tweeted. “Let’s go.”

He also sent a message to his friend and training partner Belal Muhammad. “Head up champion,” he wrote, tagging Muhammad.

With Makhachev’s double-champion ambitions holding up the lightweight division and UFC 317’s main event, we expect UFC CEO Dana White to move quickly. If plans aren’t announced tonight in Montreal at the UFC 315 post-fight press conference, we expect them to be confirmed in the coming days.

With Makhachev saying he won’t drop the 155 pound belt, anything is possible. Keep it locked to MMA Mania for all the updates as this story develops.