At UFC 315’s main event, we former champ Belal Muhammad take on Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Muhammad was confident going into the fight as he promised to deliver “Canelo hands,” and also stated that he will not shoot a single takedown attempt, and finish off the Aussie while standing. However, things did not go according to the plan, and it wasn’t even close. The final scorecard was 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, as Maddalena was crowned as the new welterweight king of the UFC.
Muhammad, who promised to deliver a fight that nobody had ever seen before, came up short, and if you take a look at his face after the fight, you’ll understand that the sheer amount of punches, kicks, and elbows, he took. Now that Muhammad is no longer the champion, the current lightweight strap holder has the green light to fight for the welterweight belt to become a double champ in the UFC. If you didn’t know already, we’re talking about Islam Makhachev, who has had his sights on the welterweight belt for a while.
😱🏆 Jack Della Maddalena on fighting Islam Makhachev next:
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 11, 2025
"I am gonna get this one back for Volk." pic.twitter.com/YcSV4tPqxB
However, Joaquin Buckley, a welterweight contender, is not a fan of Makhachev’s personal ambitions to attain the welterweight belt, despite claiming Belal Muhammad as his friend and a brother. Let’s find out more.
After Jack Della Maddalena was announced as the winner of the fight between him and Muhammad, one of the first UFC fighters to tweet out was Islam Makhachev. And if you thought that it was anything related to an appreciation post for his “brother,” Muhammad, you’re wrong. Makhachev instead tweeted, “Time to become a double champion. Let’s go.”
Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 11, 2025
Let’s go
This did not sit right with many fans, including Joaquin Buckley, who’s ranks 7th on the welterweight contender’s list. Buckley was quick to point out the disloyalty and dishonor that came with Makhachev’s tweet. Buckley shared a tweet on X which said, “Crazy praying for your so called brothers down fall.”
As stated earlier, Makhachev has been eyeing the welterweight title for quite a while, and the only reason that was stopping him from attempting to take over, was because of Muhammad, who he claims as his brother and a dear friend. While Muhammad, prior to the fight against JDM, wanted Makhachev to book his fight in the lightweight division, claiming that he wasn’t going to return without the belt, things did not turn out that way.
Now that Makhachev will most likely fight for the welterweight belt against Maddalena, in the near future, this also means that Charles Oliveira will potentially have to take on Ilia Topuria for the interim belt of the lightweight division. There’s a lot of chaos as of this moment, but the most disappointing part for the fans will probably be the highly anticipated fight between Makhachev vs. Topuria, which may not happen anytime soon, as the result of UFC 315 has shook up any possibility of that happening, at least in the near future. However, if Islam wins the welterweight belt, and Topuria wins the interim championship, the lightweight title fight could happen, and the stakes would be even higher than before.
Get the biggest stories delivered straight to you - for free!
By signing up, you consent to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, nad to receive marketing and account-related emails from The Playoffs. You can subscribe at any time.
For over 10 years, The Playoffs has been a go-to source for sports and sports betting enthusiasts.
Our mission: To help bettors make the best choices with in-depth analysis, reliable data, and passionate expertise.
Our motto: Share our passion for sports and betting. At The Playoffs, we live and breathe sports. Every day, our editorial teams work to deliver the most accurate and relevant information so you can place bets with confidence—and most importantly, enjoy the experience.
Gambling can be fun and exciting, but it’s essential to keep it responsible. Set limits on your time and spending, never chase your losses, and understand that betting is a form of entertainment—not a way to earn money. If gambling stops being enjoyable or starts affecting your life negatively, don’t hesitate to seek support or take advantage of self-exclusion tools provided by betting platforms. Remember, responsible betting is the key to a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.
DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 - THE PLAYOFFS - SHARE THE PASSION FOR SPORTS AND BETTING