Islam Makhachev Discusses Dominant UFC Welterweight Title Victory Over Jack Della Maddalena: "It's Good for My Legacy"

Islam Makhachev has reflected on his decisive victory to claim the UFC Welterweight Championship against Jack Della Maddalena, describing the fight as a highly one-sided contest.

Makhachev challenged Maddalena for the 170-pound title in the main event of UFC 322 in November 2025. This bout offered Makhachev the chance to become a two-time UFC champion. He seized the opportunity, showcasing a masterclass in grappling over five rounds to secure the welterweight belt.

During the UFC 330 countdown show, Makhachev stated that he knew the fight was going in his favor from the outset, particularly after successfully taking Maddalena down.

"I wanted to be a double champion. It's good for my legacy. I remember the first takedown, how easy it came, and I understood it was going to be a long night for Jack," Makhachev commented.

Makhachev is slated to make his first defense of the welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event on August 15th in Philadelphia. Garry has asserted his striking superiority over Makhachev and aims for his first knockout victory since 2023.

While Maddalena was unable to effectively employ his striking due to the constant threat of takedowns, Garry believes his approach will be different. Makhachev, however, disagrees and intends to take more risks in his upcoming bout with Garry.

The MMA community is curious about how Garry will handle Makhachev's relentless pressure and if he can successfully defend takedowns long enough to inflict damage on the feet. Garry's grappling skills were tested in late 2024 against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Although he did not secure a win, he made the fight competitive. The question remains whether he has made sufficient adjustments to contend with an elite fighter like Makhachev, and this will be answered in Philadelphia.