Makhachev's Dominance at UFC 322 Solidifies Pound-for-Pound Status, Says Coach Mendez

Islam Makhachev delivered a definitive statement victory at UFC 322, a performance that his long-time coach, Javier Mendez, asserts firmly re-establishes the Dagestani fighter as the premier pound-for-pound athlete in mixed martial arts. The event, held this past Saturday in New York City, saw Makhachev achieve a significant career milestone, becoming the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s eleventh two-division champion.

In the main event of UFC 322, Makhachev decisively defeated Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight title. The bout was characterized by a comprehensive and one-sided display of skill from the newly crowned champion. Speaking to Submission Radio on Sunday, Mendez articulated his conviction regarding Makhachev’s standing in the sport. "I feel good. I feel that Islam proved that he belongs as No. 1 pound-for-pound," Mendez stated, adding, "I think a lot of people thought he was, but now he’s solidified that. I don’t think there should be any question on who the pound-for-pound greatest right now is, and that’s him."

Mendez further elaborated on the potential long-term implications of Makhachev’s current trajectory, suggesting a path toward historical greatness. "And at the rate he’s going, if he continues to go, he may very well end up being the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. But let’s wait to see how we do in our next few fights before we jump that gun."

Makhachev’s ascent to two-division champion places him in an elite group within the UFC. Before UFC 322, the exclusive club of two-division champions included Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo, Israel Adesanya, and Alex Pereira. Makhachev’s achievement marks him as the first fighter to concurrently hold both the lightweight and welterweight titles since Conor McGregor in 2016. This feat, particularly given the welterweight division’s historical depth and competitiveness, significantly bolsters his resume and makes a compelling case for the top spot in the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings, which are expected to be updated later this week.

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The performance against Della Maddalena was notably dominant, leading many observers to comment on the ease with which Makhachev secured the victory. Some post-fight analysis from other fighters and pundits included critiques of Della Maddalena’s showing. However, Mendez offered a contrasting perspective, attributing the perceived ease of the fight to Makhachev’s meticulous preparation rather than any deficiency on Della Maddalena’s part.

"Make no mistake about it, I told you guys that if we make the fight look easy, it’s because we train hard for it," Mendez clarified. "It’s not that Jack isn’t a great champion. He is. It’s just I feel Islam’s at another level out of anybody right now."

Mendez highlighted specific aspects of Makhachev’s in-cage execution that contributed to his dominance. "I noticed that the speed difference between Islam and him was night and day, and I just said right then and there, ‘Matador style.’ It means evade, stay on the outside, and maintain that distance, because Jack, a lot of people aren’t giving him the credit he deserves, because he’s a great fighter. Wait and see what the next person that fights with him — they think they’re going to do what Islam did to him? Good luck."

Jack Della Maddalena, an Australian contender, entered UFC 322 with a professional record of 17 wins and 3 losses, boasting a significant win streak in the welterweight division that had seen him defeat established fighters like Kevin Holland and Gilbert Burns. His rise through the ranks had been impressive, making him a legitimate threat in the welterweight division. The nature of Makhachev’s victory, therefore, speaks volumes about his current form and the effectiveness of his game plan, meticulously crafted by his coaching team at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), a renowned gym responsible for cultivating multiple UFC champions.

Makhachev’s professional MMA record now stands at 27 wins and 1 loss. His sole defeat came early in his UFC career in 2015. Since then, he has embarked on an remarkable 14-fight winning streak, a testament to his consistent improvement and strategic prowess. His notable victories include submitting Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title at UFC 280 and defending it twice against then-pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, once in a closely contested decision and then with a decisive knockout. These victories had already positioned him as a strong contender for the top pound-for-pound ranking, a status now reinforced by his welterweight title capture.

Looking ahead, the future for Islam Makhachev is subject to considerable speculation regarding his next move and potential opponents. The newly minted welterweight champion finds himself with a myriad of options across two divisions. Among the most vocal potential challengers is the current lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, who has openly expressed his desire to face Makhachev.

Mendez addressed the possibility of a showdown with Topuria, indicating a willingness to accept the challenge should the UFC decide to pursue it. "Let’s see what happens. If the UFC offers [Topuria], no problem," Mendez stated. "I can’t answer for Islam, but I’m saying no problem."

The prospect of a fight between Makhachev and Topuria presents intriguing divisional dynamics. Topuria, having recently claimed the lightweight title, would likely need to ascend to welterweight to challenge Makhachev, who has now firmly established himself in the 170-pound division. Mendez touched upon this, suggesting Makhachev is unlikely to drop back down to lightweight. "Let’s face it, we’re going to meet him eventually, whether it’s the White House or whether it’s another time, let the UFC decide that. But we’re going to meet him eventually if he wants to continue to come up, but I seriously doubt Islam will want to come down."

Mendez also highlighted the historical significance of such a hypothetical matchup, particularly if it involved Makhachev attempting to challenge for a third title, a feat never before accomplished in UFC history. While Topuria currently holds the lightweight belt, the implication from Mendez’s statement is that a potential future scenario could involve Makhachev moving to an even higher weight class or Topuria challenging for a second belt against Makhachev at welterweight, with the ultimate goal for Makhachev potentially being a third division. "And for him, it’s the first time anybody will ever go for a triple [champion]. He would be the first triple challenger, so that would be a monster fight for the whole world."

Beyond Topuria, the welterweight division itself offers a robust roster of contenders. Current welterweight champion Leon Edwards (prior to Makhachev’s win), Belal Muhammad, and Shavkat Rakhmonov represent a deep pool of elite fighters, each with strong claims to a title shot. The UFC’s decision on Makhachev’s next opponent will shape the landscape of both the lightweight and welterweight divisions for the foreseeable future, as the organization navigates the unprecedented success of its latest two-division king.