Islam Makhachev will make his debut in the welterweight division when he faces Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC 322 title. Moving up from lightweight, Makhachev is attempting to become a two-division champion, a feat that would place him among the elite fighters in UFC history.
This bout will test Makhachev against one of the top-ranked welterweights. His technical proficiency, wrestling, and submission skills will be on full display as he navigates the challenges of a heavier division. A victory would also maintain his undefeated record and extend his UFC winning streak to 16 fights, tying Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive victories.
Training Camp at Peak Intensity
Coach Javier Mendez described this as Makhachev’s most complete training camp to date. Emphasis has been placed on refining striking, grappling, conditioning, and mental focus. Mendez believes the fighter is fully prepared to face a champion in a new weight class.
“He’s improved everywhere; the stand up, the ground, the conditioning, the mentality, you name it,” Mendez said. “This one, he’s eclipsed any other camp that I’ve ever been with him. This is the best camp that I’ve ever seen him do with us. I’ve never witnessed him being this strong, this mentally prepared, and this hungry. He’s this hungry. So I know what I have and we have a hell of a challenger for that welterweight title, and I really, strongly believe we’re going to take that title. But it ain’t gonna be easy.”
Makhachev comes into UFC 322 with a nearly decade-long undefeated streak and a 15-fight win streak in the UFC.
Islam Makhachev to JDM during their face off
"It's very cold." 😭 #UFC322 pic.twitter.com/DI9lY60BcE
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 11, 2025
Top Contenders for First Title Defense
Looking ahead, Mendez identified Kamaru Usman and Ilia Topuria as the most likely challengers for Makhachev’s first defense should he win the welterweight belt.
“The one guy I think probably deserves it more than everybody, based on his title run when he was the champ, is Kamaru Usman,” Mendez said. “Look what he just did with [Joaquin] Buckley. He stopped the hype train, and did it in impressive fashion. So I would think that his hat has got to be in there as a contender for that title. His title run, being the greatest welterweight of all time, in my opinion, has got to be in there, too.
“For us, it would suck, because we care about the guy, too. But it’s a business, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen. Even Belal [Muhammad], it is what it is. We didn’t want to fight Belal, but what if Belal wins and we win and all of a sudden we get offered a fight with him? It’s going to be up to the fighters to decide, but it’s going to suck for us on both of those, if any of those happen.”
Topuria as a Strategic Matchup
Mendez also emphasized Ilia Topuria as a viable contender for a championship matchup. Such a fight would be notable given Topuria’s rise in the division and the significance of a champion-versus-champion scenario.
“If you’re asking me what the fans are going to want to see, I’m going to have to go with Topuria,” Mendez said. “If we manage to get the win like we’re expecting and wanting to, I would think that Dana is all about creating the most, biggest buzz, and I think the biggest buzz is Topuria, if he goes up in weight. If that’s what happens.
“So right now, I can see so many different scenarios happening, but those two are the top of the list, in my opinion.”
