UFC 315 star recalls ’20 seconds’ saving Islam Makhachev legacy

UFC 315 PPV title challenger Jack Della Maddalena strolls through memory lane, visits Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev.

UFC 315 star recalls ’20 seconds’ saving Islam Makhachev legacy

Jack Della Maddalena revisit Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev, the first time around (Source: X/IMAGO)

Except for a lone loss to Adriano Martins in mid 2010s, longtime UFC 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev has had a stellar run. He is on a historic 15-fight streak, and with PPV title defense showcases. However, Alexander Volkanovski had his moments with him in their first go, where he came close to realizing a double-belt dream. It’s something UFC 315 PPV headlining star and Aussie peer Jack Della Maddalena revels in.

Now in his second reign, Alexander Volkanovski, lost via first-round KO at UFC 294. But at UFC 284, he had pockets of dissimilar success and even had Islam Makhachev on his back for a while. Later, Islam Makhachev would pocket this win on very controversial UD scores (48-47 | 48-47 | 49-46). Jack Della Maddalena has had some certain nostalgia about Volk almost having that lightweight PPV main event in the bag.

That was inspiring. The Dagestani wrestler (that) nobody — nobody, …could really mess with him; if he gets you down, it’s over…And Volk was just having a great old time. The last round finished with Islam on his back, just absolutely wailing on him…I thought he’d done… Islam had done his work for the day and clocked out, …But yeah, it was inspiring…We just needed another 20 seconds. I thought Volk won.

Jack Della Maddalena to Mark Bouris (🎥: @markbouris) in UFC 315 PPV pre-fight media sitdown

Team Scrappy MMA’s JDM recently trained with Alexander Volkanovski for his UFC 314 return. Meanwhile, Makhachev has held his spot intact for long and is eyeing a move to 170 pounds. It is something the Aussie welterweight and UFC 315 star relishes in, as part of his ‘Avenge Volk’ plan package.

That is because Makhachev is reluctant to face friend Belal Muhammad, the current welterweight champ. But, days out from his defense, Muhammad has caused some point of friction there.

UFC 315 headliner phones home to ‘friend’ Islam Makhachev with defiant undertone ahead of PPV title defense

Muhammad makes his maiden defense of undisputed gold this weekend, at the UFC 315 PPV event headliner. He meets the crispy striker Jack Della Maddalena for it and had had plans. “Bully B” is also honing in on to prep for PPV backup fighter Ian Machado Garry, who will be on site and weigh in this weekend.

Islam Makhachev gets snippy message from UFC 315 headliner star
Islam Makhachev gets snippy message from UFC 315 headliner star (Source: X)

Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev is one extra name in the welterweight cog right now. The Dagestani has said he would wait for the UFC 315 PPV card to culminate and make his next move. If UFC 315 challenger Della Maddalena dethrones the Muhammad, he could measure his next move easily.

With him and Muhammad being teammates, both have remained unwilling to face each other. However, days out from his matchup, Muhammad sent out a defiant little feeler to state his stay-at-all-ready champ mindset.

We’ve talked about it, he said, ‘Oh man, you’ve ruined my plans’, …it’s one of those things. Now they’re waiting to see what happens this weekend, but I tell them, like, I would get your fight signed because I’m not leaving Montreal without the belt, I’m still gonna be the champ…So, start your camp right now, whoever you have in line, whoever you have in store, you’re good.

Belal Muhammad on ‘The Anik and Florian Podcast’ #AF.549 for @DraftKings

With semi-adamant notion about not facing him and retaining his 170-pound champ spot, Makhachev will most likely continue at lightweight for now. While nothing is certain, a Topuria-sized PPV super fight is on the rumor mill. Both fighters are reported to have entered fight camps. Only time will tell what’s in store next.

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