The next step of Islam Makhachev was dependent on the UFC 315 main event on 10 May.
During the fighting week for the return of the UFC to the Bell Center in Montreal, Dana White acknowledged that the title fight of Welterweight would have a domino effect for the lightweight champion.
Jack della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad, with which Makhachev can go up a weight class to challenge the 170 pound title now that it is not held by a friend and former teammate.
If Muhammad had retained the title in his first defense, the pound-for-pound would have remained number one in lightweight to probably be confronted against Ilia Topuria.
Immediately after UFC 315 came to an end, Della Maddalena and Makhacheve started to go back and forth now that the future plans of both men are being determined.
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Javier Mendez says that Jack della Maddalena has never fought against anyone such as Islam Makhachev
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, the coach of Islam Makhachev gave his response to the main event of UFC 315 and what this means for his hunter.
Although Belal Muhammad was not necessarily at his best, Jack della Maddalena impressed many people after he had surpassed his opponent while he was fighting.
Many fans wanted to see Makhachev against Ilia Topuria, but after his performance at UFC 315, the new Welterweight champion is also an important threat.
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Javier Mendez said he is enthusiastic about the matchup because he knows how much the lightweight champion wants to achieve success in a second weight class.
Although he gave Della Maddalena a lot of praise, Mendez stated that the new champion has never fought anyone like Makhachev, even if the title defender is a dangerous striker.
“Islam has been a completely different animal than Jack ever been involved. So if that fight occurs, we will see a hell of a fight and you will see Islam perform at an incredible level.
“We would dictate the fight on the basis of how well he is doing or not, and he can do it all. So he can take Jack down? Absolutely, he can take it down. Can he work out Strike Jack? Absolutely, he could pronounce him. But is it wise to try to hit him as I feel that we don't know, it may not be.”
Javier Mendez hopes that the UFC will have a say in Islam Makhachev about where the fight takes place
Jack della Maddalena said in his interview after the fight on UFC 315 that he wants to take revenge on Alexander Volkanovski by beating Islam Makhakev.
Volkanovski and Makhakeveer met each other for the first time at UFC 294 in Perth, Australia, where they produced one of the best title fights in recent years.
Now that Della Maddalena is from Perth, there is a great story for this fight when the UFC decides to defend the good weight champion his belt.
Javier Mendez, after he has learned how long it takes to fly from Russia to Australia, is not so enthusiastic about the idea and he hopes that Makhachev has something to say.
“If that's what it is, that's what it is. But let's hope that pound-for-pound number one makes a decision if that is what they offer us.”