Islam Makhachev’s subsequent battle will probably be towards Jacques Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title earlier than the tip of the yr.
Makhachev’s subsequent battle will probably be his 170-pound debut towards the brand new welterweight champion in the primary occasion of a UFC pay-per-view, though an official date and venue have but to be confirmed.
Islam Makhachev subsequent battle: P4P star takes on Jacques Della Maddalena for UFC welterweight title
It is no exaggeration to say that Islam Makhachev is at the moment one of the crucial highly effective fighters in all the UFC. The Dagestani fighter has held the UFC light-weight title since October 2022, defeating all the finest fighters at 155 kilos within the course of.
Makhachev, who has cleared the light-weight division, is at the moment shifting as much as welterweight with the intention of changing into a two-division UFC champion.
As the present pound-for-pound No. 1, the 33-year-old immediately earned a shot on the UFC welterweight title. After Jacques Della Maddalena’s victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, it was confirmed that this might transfer Makhachev as much as 170 kilos.
This implies he has additionally formally relinquished his light-weight belt in favor of the promotion. UFC President Dana White has formally confirmed that Islam Makhachev’s subsequent battle will certainly be towards ‘JDM’ for the welterweight belt earlier than the tip of the yr.
It is time to grow to be a double champion #God prepared
Let’s go— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHCHEVMMA) Could 11, 2025
Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev is anticipated to headline an enormous UFC pay-per-view card by the tip of the yr, though the date and venue have but to be confirmed. It appears doubtless that both UFC 320 or UFC 321 will happen in September or October.
Islam Makhachev’s subsequent battle is his hottest battle on MMA sportsbooks, but it surely will not be simple. Jacques Della Maddalena seemed sensational towards Belal Muhammad for the belt, so the Dagestani fighter might want to compete in an A-match to grow to be a two-division UFC champion.
All eyes will probably be on Islam Makhachev’s subsequent battle as he seems to additional solidify his place because the primary P4P king within the UFC. Will he be capable to carve his identify into historical past as a two-division UFC champion?
🚨 Dana White confirms that Islam Makhachev will vacate the light-weight title and transfer as much as 170 kilos to face Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title 🏆
Location and date to be decided👀 pic.twitter.com/zAkBxKZsgE
— UFC on TNT Sports activities (@ufcontnt) Could 13, 2025
Who will Islam Makhachev battle after the “JDM” conflict?
If Islam Makhachev’s subsequent battle ends in a victory, even larger fights could possibly be deliberate for the pound-for-pound champion.
If he wins the UFC welterweight title in his subsequent battle towards Jacques Della Maddalena, Makhachev will doubtless wish to defend the 170-pound belt in a couple of fights to solidify his standing as the most effective fighter within the division.
Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, Ian Machado-Galley and Kamaru Usman could possibly be the subsequent contenders for the belt. Of those names, Rakhmonov is certainly the subsequent in line, and if he turns into champion, it can virtually definitely be Makhachev’s subsequent battle after “JDM.”
Makhachev then moved up within the welterweight division, defeating all the contenders and seemingly with the ability to wipe out the second division altogether. If he does that and Ilia Topria continues to do the identical at 155 kilos, the pair might lastly meet in an epic superfight.
Topria and Makhachev have been at one another’s throats on social media, and a battle between them at some stage appears virtually inevitable. Nevertheless, with Makhachev shifting to welterweight, Topuria should transfer up one other weight class after already shifting up from featherweight to light-weight.
There could also be a battle sometime, however it’s nonetheless far sooner or later and will by no means occur. One factor is for positive: Makhachev has loads of choices for his subsequent battle after the Jacques Della Maddalena showdown.
However to start with, earlier than Islam Makhachev ponders the opportunity of a mega-fight after 2026, the subsequent battle should end in a victory towards “JDM”.
