Islam Makhachev has been warned that he could face serious struggles in wrestling the welterweight belt from Jack Della Maddalena.
Lightweight champion Makhachev has confirmed his plans to move up to 170lb in order to pursue Della Maddalena’s newly-won crown. He would likely have stayed at lightweight had Belal Muhammad retained in the main event of UFC 315.
However, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson believes that victory won’t be as easy as Makhachev presumes in his quest for a second title. The Russian has been dominant for so long at lightweight that it will be interesting to see him face the challenge of a much bigger fighter at welterweight.
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Islam Makhachev sent Jack Della Maddalena warning by Stephen Thompson
Islam Makhachev has only tasted defeat once in his career, and has been one of the most dominant fighters ever seen at lightweight. He has the record for most defenses of the 155lb title, and is now eyeing a second belt which would see him surpass even his close friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
However, Stephen Thompson has told Submission Radio of the challenge that will be presented by Jack Della Maddalena, who has never lost in the UFC. “A lot of these 170s walk around real heavy,” ‘Wonderboy’ noted.
“I’m talking about over 205lb, 210 into 215lb, some of the guys I’ve faced would walk around at that weight. I think the height, they might be the same height or JDM might be a little taller but I see these guys and I see their strengths, Islam is going to have a tough time.
“Now, do I think he can get it done? Yes. I think he’s that good of a grappler, but I think JDM has faced some of the best welterweight grapplers and wrestlers in the division, Belal being one of them. So I think it’s going to be a tough night for him.”
Islam Makhachev has called his shot at welterweight
The lightweight champion has already made it very clear that he is moving up in weight in order to pursue Maddalena’s belt through a series of social media posts. He was always too close friends with Muhammad to look for his title, but now that he has lost there’s no issue with a move up.
“Time to become a double champion,” Makhachev wrote in one tweet. “#inshaAllah. Let’s go.” He followed that tweet up by adding that: “You are not Volk I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean.”