UFC Pound-For-Pound King Islam Makhachev wants to face Jack della Maddalena at a legacy-changing location.
Islam Makhachev will leave the UFC Lightweight Championship this weekend when Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are at UFC 317 collision this Saturday. Makhachev, who has not fought since he had announced Renato Moicano on UFC 311, almost immediately after UFC 315.
Jack della Maddalena beat the old friend and teammate of Makhachev, Belal Muhammad last month, last month at the UFC 315 event. Maddalena invited a Makhachev confrontation in Australia, as he asked for UFC CEO Dana White in post-event conversations.
But as the manager of Makhachev hinted only a few weeks ago, the former former lightweight champion has other plans in mind.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev wants Jack della Maddalena at 'legendary' location
Makhachev has competed in Abu Dhabi numerous times in his career, including when he won the then-vacant UFC lightweight belt over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Some have speculated that the UFC matchmakers could attempt to book Makhachev vs. Maddalena for the UFC's Annual Abu Dhabi Pay-per-View card in October.
Makhachev wants to do something else for his chance of making UFC history in earning a second title and wants a huge platform to compete against Maddalena.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn, Makhachev shared a recent conversation he had with White about his desired destination for the Maddalena showdown.
'I asked Dana [White] If we have the chance to fight in Madison Square Garden, “Makhachev revealed.
“It would be an honor to fight in the largest arena for MMA and Boxing. Legendary Arena. They are not fighting for money or for the victory, they fight for the inheritance there.
“And I also want to fight there for my estate, to be a double champion in Madison Square Garden.”
At the moment, White and the matchmakers have not announced a targeted date and location for the Welterweight -backer van Makhachev. After the abrupt pension from Jon Jones last weekend, the UFC has options for how it wants to fill the rest of the Pay-per-View slots of 2025.
The most recent map of the UFC in Madison Square Garden contained Jones's victory over Stipe Miocic on UFC 309. Makhachev never participated in Madison Square Garden in his career.
Islam Makhachev does not exclude lightweight return after chasing a double camp
After confronting Maddalena later this year, Makhachev does not exclude to return to the lightweight division for a booking with a big money. If Topuria beat Oliveira this weekend, he will probably call Makhachev, who may be able to lure the former lightweight king back to his old stamping site.
The UFC no longer wants to hold hunters two belts at the same time, after Conor McGregor and Henry Cejudo's dual weight Government world champion. Makhachev wants to become the newest that protects multiple titles.
Do not be surprised if Makhachev has much to say this weekend about the UFC 317 Main Event, while it turns out to be his welterweight comeback fight.