Islam Makhachev issues warning to Jack Della Maddalena after UFC 315 main event; JDM responds

Islam Makhachev wasted no time sending a rather emphatic warning to new welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena after his stunning win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.

The UFC’s reigning lightweight king knew that Saturday night’s outcome was going to determine his future and Della Maddalena becoming champion effectively cleared the way for Makhachev to go after the 170-pound title. A close relationship with Muhammad prevented that move previously but now with Della Maddalena holding the belt, Makhachev seems ready to take on that challenge.

“Time to become a double champion,” Makhachev wrote on Twitter after UFC 315 ended. “Let’s go.”

Makhachev also sent a direct message to the new champion after Della Maddalena addressed him in the cage after he welcomed the fight while adding that he wanted to get revenge for his friend Alexander Volkanovski.

Of course, Volkanovski fought and lost to Makhachev twice, which included their second encounter where the Russian scored a vicious head kick knockout.

“You are not Volk,” Makhachev said to Della Maddalena. “I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean.”

For his part, Della Maddalena doubled down on his willingness to welcome Makhachev to the welterweight division if that’s the fight the UFC wants to make.

As far as Makhachev’s declaration that the Australian needs to keep his belt clean, Della Maddalena smirked while offering his response.

“Come get it,” Della Makhachev said. “I think there are a lot of good welterweights. Obviously, I think Islam what he’s done, I think he deserves the shot if he wants to step up. But I guess that’s not my call, it’s up to the UFC.”

Given the back-and-forth between these two already, the UFC probably won’t have to work very hard to put this matchup together sometime later this year.