Islam Makhachev’s former title was won in devastating fashion at UFC 317.
A new lightweight champion was crowned when Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round to remain undefeated.
While Topuria shared a face-off with Paddy Pimblett inside the Octagon to set up a huge first title defense, there is still another matchup the fans want to see the new champion in.
With both men recently moving up divisions, Topuria doesn’t believe that he will face Makhachev now that the Russian has gone to welterweight.
Makhachev and his team currently have their eyes set on the 170-pound title, with his coach recently stating that Topuria isn’t the toughest test out there for him.
Javier Mendez reveals why he believes Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher puzzle for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Javier Mendez gave his reaction to Ilia Topuria’s spectacular win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
Before the vacant lightweight title fight was announced, a lot of fans were hopeful of seeing Topuria challenge Islam Makhachev for the belt before the Russian vacated his title to move up.
With the new champion proving himself at lightweight with another ruthless knockout, a fight with Makhachev could be even bigger now than it was previously.
However, Mendez believes that Topuria isn’t the toughest puzzle to solve for his fighter as he prepares to compete at welterweight for the first time.
Makhachev’s move up was put in place after Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 to win the 170-pound title, setting the Aussie up to welcome the pound-for-pound number one in his first title defense.
Mendez stated that the more well-rounded striking approach, and the size, of ‘JDM’ gives them more problems than a fight with Topuria, who the acclaimed coach stated has the best hands in the sport.
“Maddalena is the tougher one because of number one, the size. Number two, he’s good everywhere. If it was just boxing, then we don’t have to worry as much because Maddalena’s boxing is not as good as Topuria’s but overall, his kicking, his knees, his overall game is very good.”
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Javier Mendez approves potential iconic location for Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena
There has been some talk during International Fight Week in regards to where Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title fight could take place.
When looking at a fight of this magnitude, and the UFC’s current schedule, there is one location that feels particularly ideal to host Jack Della Maddalena’s first title defense.
The Octagon is set to return to New York in November, as has been the case over the past several years, and while the likes of Abu Dhabi could be other options, Javier Mendez is excited by the idea of seeing his fighter headline Madison Square Garden for the first time.
“That would be fantastic if the UFC gives us that bout in Madison Square Garden because Islam would love that. Nothing better to do than to win the title at Madison Square Garden, the iconic Madison Square Garden. So for him, it’s another legacy stat that he would love to go after cuz the one thing that he’s after, he’s said it time and time again, he’s after legacy fights.”