Islam Makhachev came, he saw and he conquered.
His quest to become a two-division champion was accomplished as Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena from the first second until the last to claim the welterweight title in a completely lopsided performance. From some nasty calf kicks on the feet to a suffocating ground attack, Makhachev was in control throughout and while he didn’t get the finish, he left no doubt that he is the best welterweight in the UFC.
The judges all scored the fight 50-45 with
Makhachev becoming the 11th fighter in UFC history to claim titles in two division and he’s now the second man to win gold at welterweight and lightweight after B.J. Penn was the first.
“This is a dream,” Makhachev said after his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov draped two belts on his shoulders. “All of my work for these two belts. I am really happy. The belt is so heavy and I like it. I worked hard for this moment. My life has changed.
“No cut weight, five round non-stop, I can wrestle, I can do whatever I want. This is my plan. It’s not a secret. My opponents all know this and nobody can stop it.”
Following a disappointing result, Della Maddalena bolted from the octagon and didn’t stick around for a post-fight interview, obviously dejected after losing the title in his first defense. Unfortunately, he just hand no answers as the landslide started after Makhachev grabbed a leg and then tripped him to the ground just moments into the opening round.
Makhachev was immediately suffocating on top as he weighed down on Della Maddalena like a human brick wall.
Della Maddalena tried to scramble but that led to Makhachev taking his back momentarily before the fighters effectively ended up in the same position again on the ground. Makhachev continued to advance his position as he began setting up a D’arce choke submission, one of his favorite ways to finish a fight.
At the start of round two, Della Maddalena connected with a stiff punch that landed clean but Makhachev was quick to counter, grabbing the clinch and once again the fight hit the floor. Makhachev started hammering away with short punches and elbows with Della Maddalena just locked underneath him.
Makhachev was just dominating on the ground with Della Maddalena finally scrambling free but it was too little too late as time ran out on him.
Even when the fight was on the feet, Makchachev was chewing up Della Maddalena’s lead leg with some nasty calf kicks. Still, Della Maddalena wasn’t going away and when he finally found some room to operate, he unleashed a multi-punch combination to the head and body.
But a split second later, Makhachev snatched a double-leg takedown to once again put Della Maddalen on his back with little hope of escape. All Della Maddalena could muster was defending from the bottom as the championship was slipping away from him.
It was rinse and repeat from Makhachev as he was just taking Della Maddalena down at will after continuing to punish the leg with calf kicks. Another scramble ended with Makhachev on the back looking for the choke, although the Australian was still able to break free and survive.
Another takedown started the fifth round and Makhachev remained in control in a completely demoralizing performance for Della Maddalena. Makhachev looked for another submission attempt but ultimately he just stayed on top until the final horn sounded.
Makhachev celebrated with his team as he became the new welterweight champion but the hard work won’t stop with a long line of potential contenders awaiting him, especially after impressive wins from Michael Morales and Carlos Prates on Saturday. Toss in former champion Kamaru Usman, undefeated wrecking machine Shavkat Rakhmonov and the winner of Ian Machado Garry versus Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar and there are plenty of options.
One thing for certain, Makhachev knows where he wants to defend his title for the first time.
“Donald Trump let’s go,” Makhachev shouted. “Open the White House, I am coming.”
