{"id":279694,"date":"2025-11-12T13:45:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T13:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/279694\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T13:45:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T13:45:50","slug":"ufc-322-star-islam-makhachev-targets-ex-champion-with-ambitious-welterweight-goal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/279694\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC 322 star Islam Makhachev targets ex-champion with ambitious welterweight goal"},"content":{"rendered":"

He may not have the belt yet, but Islam Makhachev already has big plans for his welterweight title reign after UFC 322. <\/p>\n

Considered by many to still be the UFC\u2019s pound-for-pound best fighter even after losing his spot to Ilia Topuria<\/a>, Makhachev won the UFC lightweight belt in 2022 and successfully defended it four times before vacating the title earlier this year ahead of a move to 170 lbs. <\/p>\n

The 34-year-old is set to challenge UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322 this weekend, and Makhachev believes that a dominant title reign in a second division will solidify his place as a UFC Hall of Famer. <\/p>\n

Islam Makhachev Wants To Surpass Kamaru Usman’s UFC Title Reign<\/p>\n

Speaking with UFC News<\/a> ahead of his massive fight at Madison Square Garden<\/a>, Makhachev revealed that he\u2019d like to try and surpass the number of welterweight title defenses that former titleholder Kamaru Usman had during his lengthy championship reign.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: UFC axes several veteran fighters, including TUF winner and heavyweight fan favorite<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c[Win] second belt, defend. Maybe more than Kamaru [Usman]. And to become Hall of [Famer], and that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Kamaru<\/p>\n

Kamaru Usman reacts during his fight with Leon Edwards (not pictured) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. | Per Haljestam-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

One of the most successful welterweights in UFC history, Usman won the promotion\u2019s 170 lbs. title from another long-reigning champion in Tyron Woodley at UFC 235. \u201cThe Nigerian Nightmare\u201d went on to defend his title five times across a championship reign that lasted nearly two years. <\/p>\n

Jack Della Maddalena Aims To Play Spoiler At UFC 322<\/p>\n

As exciting as it may be for fans to imagine Makhachev dominating a second weight class the same way he did lightweight, the UFC star does have a massive challenge in front of him in the form of Australia\u2019s Della Maddalena. <\/p>\n

READ MORE: UFC legend brutally knocks out reality TV star in boxing debut<\/a><\/p>\n

A contract winner on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series in 2021, Della Maddalena lost his first two pro MMA bouts in 2016 but hasn\u2019t tasted defeat since then. He\u2019s currently on an 18-fight win streak<\/a> that includes eight victories in the UFC, and in his last outing at UFC 315 the 29-year-old took the welterweight belt from Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision. <\/p>\n

\"Belal<\/p>\n

Belal Muhammad (red gloves) fights Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Makhachev also carries the momentum of an incredible 15-fight win streak into the fight with Della Maddalena, and fans only have to wait a few more days until the two men enter the cage to settle things at Madison Square Garden to close out a stacked UFC 322 <\/a>fight card. <\/p>\n

More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n

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\u2022 Jack Della Maddalena sends chilling warning to Islam Makhachev before UFC 322<\/a><\/p>\n

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