Islam Makhachev’s Two-Division Squeeze
On November 15, 2025, Islam Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 in New York to capture the welterweight championship. All three judges scored the five-round bout 50–45, completing his climb from lightweight champion to a UFC titleholder in a second division.
Oliveira Falls, a Championship Era Begins
Makhachev’s first UFC championship arrived on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. He submitted Charles Oliveira with an arm-triangle choke at 3:16 of the second round to win the vacant lightweight belt.
The two title victories revealed different paths to the same destination. Against Oliveira, Makhachev forced a decisive submission. Against Della Maddalena, he sustained control across five rounds and left no disagreement on the official scorecards.
Garry Makes the Champion Work
Winning at welterweight was only the beginning of that chapter. On August 15, 2026, Makhachev defended the championship against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. He won another unanimous decision, this time by scores of 49–46, 49–46 and 48–47.
The narrower cards reflected a more competitive test than his title-winning performance against Della Maddalena. Makhachev nevertheless completed the defense, showing that his move to a heavier division could produce more than a single championship night.
His story is anchored in those results: Oliveira submitted at lightweight, Della Maddalena beaten for welterweight gold, and Garry turned away over five rounds. The achievement rests on his ability to impose effective grappling while adjusting to different opponents and championship demands.
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Islam Makhachev, Jack Della Maddalena, Charles Oliveira, Ian Machado Garry, UFC, welterweight
