Ali Akbar Rosady
Ahead of a pivotal weekend that could see Islam Makhachev etch his name deeper into UFC history, his longtime coach, Javier Mendez, has already begun to outline the potential landscape for the lightweight champion’s first defense should he capture the welterweight title. Mendez believes that former welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman and reigning featherweight champion Ilia Topuria are at the forefront of contenders for a hypothetical welterweight championship clash.
Makhachev, currently holding the UFC Lightweight Championship, is set to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the vacant Welterweight Title at UFC 322 this Saturday, December 14, 2024. The highly anticipated bout marks Makhachev’s first foray into the 170-pound division, presenting a monumental opportunity for the Dagestani fighter. A victory would make Makhachev the 11th fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two different weight classes simultaneously, a feat that would unequivocally cement his status among the sport’s all-time greats.
However, Mendez, head coach at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), acknowledges the formidable challenge posed by Della Maddalena. "I know what we’re dealing with. We’re dealing with a hell of a champion, that we respect," Mendez told Submission Radio. "We have a huge amount of respect for him. Myself, personally, I watched the fight between him and Belal Muhammad seven times, and I’ve never done that with anybody. Seven times I watched it. That’s a lot, because I respect him. He’s good, man. He’s good."
Della Maddalena, known for his elite striking and aggressive style, enters the contest with a professional record of 17-2. The Australian fighter has made a significant impact since joining the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series, accumulating an impressive run of six consecutive victories within the promotion, including notable finishes over opponents like Randy Brown and Kevin Holland. His challenge to Makhachev is not merely for the title but also to assert the welterweight division’s established hierarchy. Della Maddalena has expressed his intent to "put him back in his place," suggesting Makhachev’s move to welterweight is an overreach.
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Despite the profound respect for Della Maddalena’s capabilities, Mendez exudes confidence in his protégé. Makhachev, 32, boasts an exceptional professional record of 26-1 and is currently riding an astounding 15-fight win streak within the UFC, a testament to his dominance since his sole professional loss in 2015. This streak is the second-longest in UFC history, trailing only Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive victories. Should Makhachev defeat Della Maddalena, he would tie Silva’s iconic record, further solidifying his place in the annals of mixed martial arts.
Mendez reports that Makhachev’s preparation for UFC 322 has been unparalleled. "He’s improved everywhere; the stand up, the ground, the conditioning, the mentality, you name it," Mendez affirmed. "This one, he’s eclipsed any other camp 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’s lightweight reign has seen him successfully defend his title against formidable challengers such as Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski (twice), and Dustin Poirier, showcasing his comprehensive skill set as a dominant wrestler with rapidly evolving striking.
Should Makhachev successfully navigate the challenge of Della Maddalena and claim the welterweight strap, the immediate question shifts to his next opponent in a division brimming with talent. The welterweight landscape is currently considered one of the most competitive in the sport, featuring a host of top-tier contenders including current champion Leon Edwards, former interim champion Colby Covington, and undefeated rising star Shavkat Rakhmonov, alongside contenders like Belal Muhammad and Stephen Thompson. However, Mendez has identified two specific names that stand out for a potential first title defense.
Kamaru Usman: The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ and a Legacy of Dominance
Mendez first pointed to Kamaru Usman as a highly deserving challenger. Usman, 37, a former UFC Welterweight Champion, held the title from March 2019 to August 2022, defending it five times against elite competition including Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. His reign was characterized by dominant wrestling, improved striking, and an unwavering mental fortitude that earned him the moniker "The Nigerian Nightmare." Mendez’s rationale for Usman’s consideration is rooted in his past accomplishments and recent performance.
"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 stated. "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."
Usman’s recent victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC 306 in September 2024 saw him return to the win column after a challenging period that included two losses to Leon Edwards. His performance against Buckley, a unanimous decision win, demonstrated that the former champion still possesses the skills and tactical acumen to compete at the highest level, effectively derailing the momentum of a dangerous opponent. Mendez’s personal connection to Usman, as both fighters train under similar circles, introduces a layer of complexity. "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." Belal Muhammad, also a top welterweight contender, is another fighter with whom Makhachev and his team share mutual respect, complicating potential matchups in the division.
Ilia Topuria: The ‘El Matador’ and a Potential Super Fight
The second name Mendez highlighted, particularly from a fan engagement perspective, is Ilia Topuria. The undefeated Georgian-Spanish fighter, 27, currently holds the UFC Featherweight Championship, having captured the title with a spectacular second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024. Topuria boasts a perfect professional record of 15-0, with a fighting style characterized by explosive striking, formidable grappling, and an aggressive pursuit of finishes.
A potential "champ-champ" showdown between Makhachev and Topuria has been a topic of considerable speculation, generating significant buzz among the MMA community. While previous discussions for such a bout fell through when Makhachev initially moved up to welterweight, Mendez believes the UFC might revisit the idea, especially for a high-profile event, such as the rumored "White House card" planned for next year. This event, speculated to be a landmark occasion, would demand a matchup of significant magnitude.
"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 [White, UFC President] 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." Topuria has openly expressed ambitions of moving up to welterweight, and a challenge for a second divisional title against a fighter of Makhachev’s caliber would undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated fights in recent memory.
Mendez concluded by emphasizing the dynamic nature of potential matchups but reiterated his primary considerations. "So right now, I can see so many different scenarios happening, but those two are the top of the list, in my opinion." The outcome of UFC 322 will not only determine Islam Makhachev’s immediate future but will also significantly reshape the championship landscape across multiple divisions, setting the stage for potentially historic matchups in the coming year.
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