Ali Akbar Rosady
Islam Makhachev, the former undisputed lightweight champion, made a resounding statement in his welterweight debut at UFC 322, dominating Jack Della Maddalena to claim the 170-pound title. The victory marks a significant milestone in Makhachev’s career, positioning him as a two-division champion and signaling a potential permanent shift from the lightweight division, a move he attributes to enhanced performance and overall well-being. Following his decisive win, Makhachev expressed a preference for facing former welterweight king Kamaru Usman in his inaugural title defense, citing Usman’s enduring threat in the division.
The main event of UFC 322 saw Makhachev, who had previously established himself as a dominant force at 155 pounds, transition to the welterweight division with an impressive display of skill and power. His performance against Jack Della Maddalena, a highly-regarded contender, was characterized by relentless control and effective grappling, culminating in a clear victory. Makhachev’s strategic approach demonstrated his adaptability and capability to compete at a higher weight class, a factor he later elaborated on in an interview with the UFC’s About Last Fight program.
"I swear, I feel different today inside the cage," Makhachev stated, reflecting on his performance. "When I take him down, I feel I can control that like anyone. I just feel more power, I can hold him, I can do whatever. He defends very well. I know he’s working with some of the coaches to defend submissions and he defends very well, but still, I just take him down and control, very easy." This sentiment underscores a notable change in his physical output and control, which he attributes directly to the reduced strain of weight management.
Before his ascent to welterweight, Makhachev had forged an exceptional legacy in the lightweight division. His tenure at 155 pounds included setting a new record for title defenses earlier this year, successfully defending his lightweight belt four times. His most recent defense at lightweight occurred at UFC 311, where he secured a submission victory over Renato Moicano, further solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most accomplished lightweights. Despite these achievements, Makhachev revealed that the arduous process of cutting weight to 155 pounds significantly hampered his ability to perform at his peak.
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Makhachev candidly discussed the detrimental effects of severe weight cuts, suggesting that fighters often compete without full physical recovery. "Not just myself, but not many fighters recover 100 percent back, because some of the hard weight cuts, it’s not [a lot] of time to recover," he explained. "Like 25, 30 hours is not enough recover 100 percent. But today I feel different, I feel recovered because I’m not cutting much weight." This insight provides a critical perspective on the unseen challenges faced by athletes in weight-class-dependent sports, where the fight against the scale often precedes the fight in the cage.
The psychological and physical toll of weight cutting extended beyond fight week, influencing his daily life and training regimen. Makhachev described a constant preoccupation with weight, impacting his social activities and energy levels. "And why I say the life is changed because all your life you have to think about the weight, about the weight cut. Last month, before the fight, you have to control everything. Even you cannot go somewhere with your friends because you’re not eating in the nighttime, you just want to keep the energy to training in the morning. That’s why I felt life is changing, and I’m happy."
He estimated that at lightweight, he was only able to perform at a fraction of his true potential, ranging from 50 to 70 percent. "Maybe 60 [percent], maybe 70 [percent]," Makhachev continued. "Some of the fights, maybe 50. In Australia, this is the baddest day of my life to fight. In Australia, I wake up 7 in the morning, but myself I was fight last, but some of them wake up 5 in the morning and go fight. This is crazy. I wake up and I don’t know if I eat breakfast or not because I have to go to the arena. This is the hardest and baddest day for me to fight in Perth." This specific reference likely alludes to his lightweight title defense against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia, an event that further highlighted the extreme demands placed on fighters navigating significant weight cuts and international travel.
With his successful welterweight debut and the immediate capture of the division’s title, it appears Makhachev’s chapter at lightweight has concluded. The newfound comfort and enhanced performance at 170 pounds suggest a permanent residency in the welterweight division. As the new champion, attention now shifts to his first title defense, and Makhachev has already identified a preferred opponent: former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
"Today, the two did fight very well, [Michael] Morales and [Carlos] Prates, but I still think Kamaru [Usman] can beat them both," Makhachev stated, acknowledging the performances of other welterweight contenders on the UFC 322 card. "And Kamaru is the biggest. Young fighters are hungry, but Kamaru is still dangerous and one of the best in this game. If you give me the choice and ask me who I want to fight, I will take Kamaru. But it’s not my job. Anyone, I will be ready."
Kamaru Usman, 36, holds a professional record of 20 wins and 4 losses. He reigned as the UFC Welterweight Champion from March 2019 to August 2022, defending his title five times and establishing himself as one of the most dominant champions in the division’s history. His impressive run included victories over notable contenders such as Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. Usman lost his welterweight title to Leon Edwards via a stunning head kick knockout at UFC 278 in August 2022 and subsequently lost the immediate rematch by majority decision at UFC 286 in March 2023. His most recent outing saw him compete at middleweight, stepping in on short notice to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he lost by majority decision. Despite his recent setbacks and a brief foray into the middleweight division, Usman’s formidable wrestling background, powerful striking, and championship experience continue to position him as a high-caliber opponent in the welterweight landscape. Makhachev’s call-out of Usman underscores a desire to test himself against a proven elite, even as younger contenders like Michael Morales and Carlos Prates, who also secured victories at UFC 322, vie for recognition within the division. Makhachev’s willingness to face any challenger ultimately rests with the promotion’s decision-makers, but his stated preference sets a clear direction for his burgeoning welterweight reign.
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