Islam Makhachev is moving up to welterweight to become a two-division champion and he’s already benefiting from his decision in fight camp.
In the main event of UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden
in New York, Makhachev fights champion Jack Della Maddalena with the 170-pound title on the line. Makhachev began 2025 at the top of the lightweight heap and after a successful title defense against Renato Moicano in January, he made the decision to move up from 155 pounds to take on Della Maddalena.
Makhachev spoke to ESPN about the changes he’s had to make to accommodate the jump to welterweight and he’s confident a less strenuous weight cut will benefit him on fight night.
“No one who cuts, like, 10 kg. [approx. 22 pounds], more than 10 kg., they never recover 100 percent,” Makhachev said. “I still feel I recover for the fight, like, maybe 70, 60 percent, because it’s so hard to recover in 30 hours. Now, I’m very excited to see how I’m going to feel in the cage.”
If Makhachev was diminished at lightweight, it was difficult to tell based on his performances. After losing in his UFC debut to Adriano Martins back in October 2015, Makhachev has rattled off 15 straight victories, including five straight wins in lightweight title fights. His pro record stands at 27-1.
It’s in the later rounds against Della Maddalena that Makhachev expects his physical change to pay dividends the most.
“Let’s see after the second round if it happens,” Makhachev said. “After the second round, after the third round, like champion’s rounds. Let’s see because I already feel it in the camp. How is my my recovery, how is my feeling after the third round? I think it’s going to be something new for me.”
As always, Makhachev will have UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner. Makhachev has long been regarded as the spiritual successor to Nurmagomedov, who went 29-0 in his career primarily utilizing his wrestling to ground, neutralize, and dominate opponents.
If everything goes according to Nurmagomedov’s gameplan, Makhachev will do the exact same thing to Della Maddalena on fight night.
“It’s not a secret,” Makhachev said. “[Nurmagomedov] told me take him down, try to take him down and make him tired. I think I can finish him on the ground. I can choke him, do an armbar, something. I saw his skills on the ground. He’s good, but I have something more.”
