Islam Makhachev may have vacated his UFC lightweight title earlier this year, but in his mind, nothing has changed. As he prepares to headline UFC 322 against welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in New York, Makhachev says he still views himself as a reigning champion chasing history, not someone entering as a challenger.
Speaking at the UFC 322 pre-fight press conference, Makhachev made his mindset clear. He said he never lost his belt to anyone, and that he only stepped aside at lightweight in order to pursue his dream of becoming a two-division champion. For him, this weekend is simply the next chapter in a career built on dominance, discipline, and an unwavering belief in his abilities.
Earlier this year, Makhachev made UFC history by reaching four consecutive lightweight title defenses, breaking the division record when he stopped Renato Moicano at UFC 311. After that victory, many expected a superfight with then-featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Instead, Makhachev focused on a long-standing ambition to move up to welterweight.
The opportunity became real when Della Maddalena defeated Makhachev’s close friend Belal Muhammad to claim the 170 pound belt. For Makhachev, that win opened the exact door he had been waiting for. He has repeatedly described becoming a double champion as one of his lifelong goals, and now he sits days away from attempting to achieve it inside Madison Square Garden.
If he wins on Saturday, Makhachev would become the eleventh fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions. Depending on the outcome of Zhang Weili’s co-main event against Valentina Shevchenko, he might even become the twelfth. Additionally, a win would tie Anderson Silva’s iconic record of sixteen straight UFC victories, a milestone long viewed as one of the toughest achievements in modern MMA.
Despite the historic implications, Makhachev insists his focus remains simple. He wants the belt, and he wants the chance to cement the work he has put in since the beginning of his career. He is not thinking about legacy debates or all-time rankings. His attention is on the man in front of him, a dangerous and still unbeaten champion in Jack Della Maddalena.
Makhachev enters the fight brimming with confidence. He has twice defeated JDM’s mentor Alexander Volkanovski, and also holds a win over Volkanovski’s teammate Dan Hooker. Now he plans to continue that streak, joking that his upcoming matchup will make it four wins over Australia’s best.
On Saturday night, Islam Makhachev steps into the UFC 322 main event not as a former champion, but as someone who believes he still carries the spirit of one. This time, he is simply aiming to add another belt to match it.
#AD 💳 Get your RedotPay prepaid crypto card today!
🌍 Works on over ninety percent of websites and apps
💰 No purchase fees and five dollars back on your first card
⭐ Trusted worldwide with more than one million downloads and a rating of four point seven
🎁 Visit the Benefits tab for ongoing rewards
Use referral code exqfj or click the link: https://url.hk/i/en/exqfj