Islam Makhachev Warned About Not Making Same Mistake as Belal Muhammad at UFC 315

Islam Makhachev keeps 170-pound dreams alive, but won't apply a 'Belal Muhammad' standup game against new champ Jack Della Maddalena, after UFC 315.

Islam Makhachev Warned About Not Making Same Mistake as Belal Muhammad at UFC 315

Islam Makhachev won't trade blows with crisp Jack Della Maddalena, like Belal Muhammad did (Source: X)

Jack Della Maddalena outworked Belal Muhammad in a surefire, undeniable PPV title win at UFC 315, at Bell Centre in Montreal. The Aussie man came out the new champ with 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 scores and is now the new king. Soon after, longtime UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev made his intentions about becoming a double-champ clear.

UFC 315 challenger Jack Della Maddalena promised violence and pressed the action from R1 with relative ease and even stifled a TD attempt. Even former champ Leon Edwards had a hard time processing Muhammad’s lean-ins, heavy hands, spikes, and trips.

JDM proved a different breed and seemed comfortable. Now, the promotion’s Pound-for-pound best fighter, Islam Makhachev, has shown he can too outbox/outwrestle with ease. But should he even opt outstriking against a potent 170-pound challenge like Della Maddalena?

Can he take Jack down? Absolutely, he can take Jack down. Can he outstrike Jack? Absolutely, he can outstrike Jack. But is it wise to outstrike him? I feel we can, but it may not be. It may be a better deal to do what Belal should have done — and that’s something I know Islam will do.

Coach Javier Mendez to Denis Shkuratov for the ‘Submission Radio’ Show for SBNation Network (🎥: @SubmissionRadio on YT)

For months, Team Makhachev was awaiting the PPV title fallout as the champ didn’t want to face friend Belal Muhammad. However, Islam Makhachev did keep his 170-pound dreams alive and had to play the fence. A Jack Della Maddalena win guaranteed he is now safe to proceed with realizing his dual-division dreams. Hence, the Dagestani didn’t waste any breath on it.

Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah
Let’s go

Islam Makhachev, post-UFC 315, via X (@MAKHACHEVMMA)

With how Makhachev’s historic PPV title defenses have unfolded, he is a true #1 P4P name. He submitted a submissions specialist, outstruck a boxer, kicked the glory out of a kickboxer, and submitted multiple BJJ extraordinaire.

But, JDM proved he could hang in the balance against proficient ground-game practitioners and counter with crisp striking. Hence, there’s a chance that a Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena scrap looks a lot different than intended. As such, the new welterweight champ is ready for it.

UFC 315 PPV title win a ‘good practice’ for stiff Islam Makhachev test, per winner Jack Della Maddalena

There’s no telling if Islam Makhachev gets a straight shot at 170-pound gold right away. There’s no telling if Jack Della Maddalena is even in it; post-UFC 315 PPV backstage media interviews, CEO Dana White teased an IFW festivity starring Ilia Topuria.

Islam Makhachev title challenge up and coming after UFC 315, per Jack Della Maddalena
Islam Makhachev title challenge up and coming after UFC 315, per Jack Della Maddalena (Source: X)

There were some bombastic concerns when the UFC headman White no-showed the UFC 315 post-fight conference. Senior VP of International Operations David Shaw took the spotlight but was unable to weigh in on a future matchup. Will it be JDM vs. Makhachev? Will it be Makhachev vs. Topuria for International Fight Week?

There’s just no telling as of yet. However, Jack Della Maddalena is feeling jolly about this fight after winning the gold this Saturday. He also rated Muhammad’s grappling a good practice for a Sambo master like Islam Makhachev. Before this, JDM also had promising results against BJJ specialist Gilbert Burns during UFC 299: O’Malley vs. Vera 2.

I think this was a good practice match for Islam, …I think there are a lot of good welterweights – but I think Islam, with what he’s done – I think he deserves the shot if he wants to step up. But that’s not my call. It’s up to the UFC.

Jack Della Maddalena during UFC 315 PPV post-fight fighter interviews

A PPV title dance date seems a total possibility. A phone call with White and Co. also teased the same thing backstage after his win. As such, this could be a fight for the ages.

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