Jack Della Maddalena argues Islam Makhachev ‘deserves’ immediate title shot even if that’s ‘annoying’ for Shavkat Rakhmonov

Jack Della Maddalena knows beating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 not only makes him welterweight champion but it also sends a potential shockwave through the rest of the division.

A huge reason why that could happen involves UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who has openly stated his desire to eventually win a second world title but never at the expense of Muhammad, who is his friend and frequent teammate. But Della Maddalena claiming the title changes everything and even the Aussie born slugger acknowledges Makhachev as probably the most compelling contender as a potential challenger to the belt.

“I think so [he’s deserving],” Della Maddalena told MMA Fighting about Makhachev. “My thoughts are I think the double champ thing, it shouldn’t be a thing if you haven’t defended your belt. That would be my opinion. I think Islam deserves a shot if he comes up.”

Makhachev hasn’t just defended his title but he actually hold the record for most title defenses at lightweight with four in a row.

That said, Makhachev still has potential matchups awaiting him at lightweight but Della Maddalena recognizes that some fights supersede rankings, which is why a champion versus champion showdown sounds like a lot of fun to him.

“I think no one would have a problem,” Della Maddalena said. “I’m sure it would be an annoying spot for Shavkat [Rakhmonov] but that’s the thing about the double-champ, it obviously throws off a division. That’s why it shouldn’t happen all the time but with Islam, I think it makes sense.’

Makhachev moving up to 170 pounds and getting an immediate title shot would almost certainly rock the boat for the other contenders waiting in line — a list that includes Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady and Ian Machado Garry.

While Della Maddalena understands how frustrating that might be for them, he believes sorting out the pecking order with a couple of more fights should actually solve any confusion and if Makhachev isn’t ready, he’ll take the next guy in line.

“It’s tight. It’s real tight,” Della Maddalena said. “Shavkat’s obviously [No. 1], hopefully he’s ready to go. I think he’s obviously the clear No. 1 contender but the more he stays out for, another No. 1 contender will obviously show up. I feel like after the Sean Brady fight, it seemed pretty obvious that he was the No. 1 guy if Shavkat wasn’t around. Now you’ve got Ian.

“They’ve got to fight each other. We’ve got to keep the division moving. Hopefully someone’s ready to go soon after this fight. Hopefully within eight weeks after this fight, we can get another welterweight title fight going.”

After spending more than a year out of action following an arm injury suffered in his win over Gilbert Burns back in 2024, Della Maddalena is anxious to face Muhammad on Saturday, win the title and then make a quick turnaround to compete again. In fact with Garry traveling to Montreal to serve as the backup to the main event, Della Maddalena is happy to kill two birds with one stone.

“I reckon line him up,” Della Maddalena said about Garry. “He’s made the trip. After I beat Belal, wrap his hands and send him out there.”

All jokes aside, Della Maddalena wants to stay busy as champion but just like acknowledging the magnitude of a potential fight against Makhachev, the 28-year-old Australian won’t turn down the chance to possibly defend his belt at home if that opportunity arises.

“I would like to stay active,” Della Maddalena said. “Obviously if it came to Perth, I would have to think about if I want to wait it … we’ll see what happens. If you could get Shavkat in Perth, that would be awesome.

“[The fight against Makhachev] has a bit of a story. Obviously the [Alexander Volkanovski]-Makhachev first fight was in Perth. I think a lot of the Perth crowd definitely would have left that feeling a bit bitter. So that would be coming back for a bit of revenge.”

Whatever the case, Della Maddalena isn’t going to start booking any travel plans until after he gets through Muhammad at UFC 315.

“It’s exciting times,” Della Maddalena said. “I think the division’s in a good spot but a bit of work to do. I’m focused entirely on dispatching of Belal Muhammad.”