Daniel Cormier, a UFC Hall of Famer, recently shared his thoughts on Jack Della Maddalena’s upcoming welterweight title defense against Islam Makhachev. Speaking on his Good Guy / Bad Guy show, Cormier compared the fight’s potential impact to his own career-defining clash with Jon Jones. A heavily rumored welterweight title fight at UFC 322, expected at Madison Square Garden in November 2025.
High Stakes for Della Maddalena
Della Maddalena won the welterweight title by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May 2025. Despite the victory, Cormier believes the win didn’t fully boost Della Maddalena’s status.
“Islam [Makhachev] has the opportunity and ability to become a two-division UFC champion,” Cormier said. “But for Jack Della Maddalena, so many hold Islam in such high regard that when he becomes or if he becomes champion, he goes back to number one pound for pound, which is right where he was to begin with. Jack Della beat Belal Muhammad and still hasn’t gotten that rub yet”
Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight title earlier in 2025 to chase welterweight gold, is a massive challenge. A win over him could rocket Della Maddalena to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, cementing his place among MMA’s elite.
Cormier sees this as Della Maddalena’s chance to shine against a globally respected fighter.
“He needed to beat a guy or fight a guy that elevates you,” Cormier said. “We talk about this constantly, how standing in the ring with Jon Jones elevated me to the point that when I fought Stipe [Miocic], it could elevate him. I don’t know if Belal did that for Jack. This will be an opportunity for Jack to elevate himself by fighting one of the best fighters in the world”
Della Maddalena, with an 18-2 record and 8-0 in the UFC, faces a tough test in Makhachev, who holds a 27-1 record. Makhachev’s grappling and versatility make him a favorite, but Della Maddalena’s sharp striking and takedown defense could keep the fight competitive.
The buildup to this fight has been intense. Makhachev announced his move to welterweight after his fourth lightweight title defense, eyeing a shot at double-champion status. In July 2025, he confirmed negotiations were nearly complete, saying there was a “90% chance” the fight would happen in November.
Della Maddalena’s title win over Muhammad came after a grueling five-round battle, where his striking and ability to fend off takedowns shone. Makhachev, meanwhile, has dominated lightweights like Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier, making his welterweight debut a major storyline.
Cormier’s comparison draws from his own experience. His fight with Jones at UFC 182, a unanimous decision loss, showcased his grit and boosted his reputation, leading to his light heavyweight title win later that year. Similarly, Della Maddalena’s fight against Muhammad didn’t fully elevate his star power, despite the title win. In May 2025, Cormier praised Della Maddalena’s well-rounded skills against Muhammad, noting his takedown defense could trouble Makhachev. Israel Adesanya also backed Della Maddalena, predicting a knockout over Makhachev due to his scrambling ability.
