Former UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev's Showdown with Jack della Maddalena appears set for a historic spotlight.
Islam Makhachev is still trying to build up for his planned relocation to the Welterweight Division to challenge title holder Jack della Maddalena later this year. While Makhachev has admitted that a number of unforeseen struggle to rebuild his body, the former pound-for-pound Koning remains on schedule to have his two-division champion chase.
Makhachev, who has not fought on UFC 311 since his last lightweight, has recently made a public requirement to book the Maddalena fight for Madison Square Garden. The UFC Superstar recently updated fans about where things stand with the promotion when making the question from Makhachev.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev makes a big unveiling for double champion chase vs. Jack della Maddalena
While Makhachev is preparing for a shot at a second UFC world championship, he supported several of his star teammates in UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Makhachev was octagonide as a colleague Dagestanis Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov and said that Nurmagomedov appeared in the cage.
While he was present in Etihad Arena, Makhachev came by for a short interview with a local outlet to update fans about where things stand for his return.
In a recent interview with UFC Eurasia, Makhachev was asked about the state of negotiations for the Maddalena fight.
“We have almost agreed on everything,” Makhachev revealed.
“There is a 90 percent chance that the fight will happen in November.”
From this letter, UFC 322 has not been announced in November for a date and location, but the promotion usually organizes an annual pay-per-view card on MSG.
Makhachev and his team fervently denied Maddalena's request to book the Superfight for Australia. Makhachev fought one before time in his career in a world title fight in Australia, when he fought against Alexander Volkanovski in his first lightweight defense at UFC 284.
Maddalena has recorded the UFC welterweight title by carrying out Belal Muhammad on UFC 315 earlier this year. Makhachev chose to leave the lightweight championship after the victory of Maddalena, which was later won by Ilia Topuria.
Islam Makhachev wants to separate itself from Khabib Nurmagomedov with 'Champ-Camp' pursuit
If Makhachev wins a second UFC world title, he will argue a strong matter to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC Geitebat. Nurmagomedov, who retired with a record of 29-0 in 2020, went to the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
Nurmagomedov ran away from MMA before he was potentially challenging for a second belt, in the midst of rumors for a fight with Georges St-Pierre earlier in his career. Despite various offers to Nurmagomedov to return to the Octagon, the unbeaten legend did not give up in his retirement position.
Nurmagomedov is likely to be in Makhachev's Hoek for the Maddalena fight, but Nurmagomedov may be possible in the following year or two of coaching.