There was more than just the welterweight title at stake in the
UFC
315 headliner.

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When Jack
Della Maddalena defeated Belal
Muhammad to claim the 170-pound belt on Saturday night at the
Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, it also cleared the way
for Islam
Makhachev to pursue his dreams of holding a title in two weight
classes.

“Time to become a two-division champion,” Makhachev wrote on X
shortly after Della Maddalena’s victory. “Let’s go.”

Prior to UFC 315, the promotion
confirmed that Makhachev would defend his lightweight title
against Ilia
Topuria at UFC 317
if Muhammad was victorious against Della Maddalena. Due to their
history as friends and training partners, Makhachev was unwilling
to move up to 170 pounds to face “Remember the Name.” Now, however,
Topuria is expected to meet Charles
Oliveira in his 155-pound debut.

For his part, Della Maddalena is more than up to the challenge of
facing the lightweight champ.

“I think it’s a beautiful challenge,” he said in his post-fight
interview. “He’s pound-for-pound No. 1. I’m gonna get him back for
Volk.”

Volk, of course, is fellow Aussie Alexander
Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight king who went 0-2
against Makhachev in bid to claim two-division gold. That statement
prompted a warning from Makhachev.

“You are not Volk,” Makhachev wrote. “I will show you different
level. Keep my belt clean.”

A potential date for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev has not been
confirmed by the UFC.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger