Islam Makhachev News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 12, 2025

As he enters a super fight at UFC 322 on Saturday, Islam Makhachev has received high praise from a top MMA analyst. Makhachev has been preparing for Jack Della Maddalena ever since “JDM” snatched the UFC Welterweight Championship from Belal Muhammad back in May. After vacating the UFC Lightweight Championship, which now belongs to Ilia Topuria, Makhachev is gunning for the 170-pound gold.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 12, 2025

Sean O’Malley has a big prediction for the upcoming UFC 322 main event (see other pro predictions here) between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. It’ll be Maddalena’s gold that will be at stake. He will put the welterweight title he won back in May at stake against Makhachev. It’s a big gamble for Makhachev, as he vacated the UFC Lightweight Championship to pursue this opportunity.

Cole Shelton - November 12, 2025

In the main event of UFC 322, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Jack Della Maddalena defends his strap against Islam Makhachev. Heading into the fight, Della Maddalena is a +210 underdog while the challenger is a -280 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get the predictions for the welterweight title fight at UFC 322. The pros expect Della Maddalena to defend his belt and get the win as a sizable underdog, as they expect the size to play a major role.

Harry Kettle - November 12, 2025

UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady has received praise from Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 322 this weekend. On Saturday night, Sean Brady will attempt to try and cement himself as one of the frontrunners for a UFC welterweight title shot. He will do so by going head to head with the unbeaten Michael Morales who, up to this point in his career, has impressed many with his ability to tear through everyone the UFC has put in front of him. Sean, of course, is on a pretty hot streak of his own right now.

Harry Kettle - November 12, 2025

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Jack Della Maddalena will be a tough opponent for Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship for the first time. He will do so against Islam Makhachev, who is making the move up from 155 pounds in order to try and join the exclusive club of fighters who have become two-weight world champions in the UFC.

Curtis Calhoun - November 11, 2025

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya shared a surprising prediction for the UFC 322 welterweight main event. UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena’s title reign kicks off this weekend against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. After defeating Belal Muhammad for the belt earlier this year at UFC 315, Maddalena will welcome the former pound-for-pound king to the welterweight division in one of the biggest fights of the year.

Curtis Calhoun - November 11, 2025

Matt Brown believes former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev still has a ways to go to prove himself as an all-time great. Islam Makhachev has the chance to add himself to the UFC history books this weekend at UFC 322. With a win over UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday, Makhachev would become the latest two-division title winner in the promotion’s history.

Curtis Calhoun - November 11, 2025

UFC 322 welterweight title challenger Islam Makhachev responded to Kamaru Usman’s holdout for the next title shot. Islam Makhachev will challenge for UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena’s title this Saturday at UFC 322. Makhachev, who was the UFC’s pound-for-pound king before vacating the lightweight belt earlier this year, has the chance to return to the throne and add to his legendary resume.

Curtis Calhoun - November 10, 2025

Dustin Poirier warned UFC 322 title challenger Islam Makhachev about a big potential risk in his fight with Jack Della Maddalena. Islam Makhachev is days away from potentially making UFC history at UFC 322 against welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena. With a win this weekend, Makhachev would become the latest two-division UFC champion and add to his legendary resume.

Cole Shelton - November 10, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena is confident he won’t just beat Islam Makhachev but will finish him at UFC 322. Della Maddalena is set to defend his welterweight title in the main event of the pay-per-view card at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 10, 2025

A former foe of Islam Makhachev believes he knows what Jack Della Maddalena can do to keep his title at the conclusion of UFC 322. Makhachev will challenge Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday. This will be “JDM’s” first attempt at a successful title defense. Makhachev is moving up in weight after vacating the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 9, 2025

A pioneer for MMA in Europe believes Islam Makhachev has a chance to enter the GOAT conversation if he emerges victorious at UFC 322. Makhachev is scheduled to move up in weight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Nov. 15. The super fight will headline UFC 322 inside the famous Madison Square Garden arena in New York City.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 7, 2025

Israel Adesanya believes there’s a path for Jack Della Maddalena to give Islam Makhachev problems at UFC 322. Maddalena is scheduled to put the UFC Welterweight Championship at stake against Makhachev inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The title is scheduled to take place on Nov. 15. Makhachev was the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, but he vacated the gold in an effort to win a title in a second weight class.

Cole Shelton - November 6, 2025

Michael Bisping expects Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev to be a much closer fight than the odds suggest. Della Maddalena is looking to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he takes on Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight title to move up. Heading into the bout, Makhachev is a -258 favorite, but UFC analyst Michael Bisping expects the bout to be much closer than the odds suggest.

Harry Kettle - November 6, 2025

Former UFC champion Belal Muhammad has given his prediction for Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev. Later this month at UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. While many believe that Makhachev is more than capable of capturing the belt, it certainly feels like a lot of fans and pundits think JDM has what it takes to keep hold of the gold in New York City.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 4, 2025

Paddy Pimblett is aware of Islam Makhachev scoffing at his resume, and he didn’t hold his tongue. Makhachev recently spoke to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto and explained why Pimblett is undeserving of a shot at the UFC lightweight title. The former 155-pound champion said nobody has “checked” Pimblett yet to truly test his skills.

Cole Shelton - October 21, 2025

Ben Vickers, the coach of Jack Della Maddalena, believes Islam Makhachev will be an easier fight than Belal Muhammad was. Della Maddalena is set to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he takes on Makhachev. Della Maddalena is coming off a decision win over Muhammad earlier this year to become the welterweight champion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 17, 2025

Islam Makhachev has gotten some praise from a former foe one month prior to UFC 322. Makhachev is scheduled to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Nov. 15. He vacated the UFC Lightweight Championship in an effort to capture the 170-pound gold. Makhachev vs. Maddalena will be held inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.