Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Joaquin Buckley Slams Islam Makhachev’s Double-Champ Ambitions

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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:

"I am gonna get this one back for Volk." pic.twitter.com/YcSV4tPqxB
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 11, 2025

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.

Also Read: ‘The Most Disciplined, Well Trained Fighter I Ever Had’ – Islam Makhachev’s Coach Confident About Della Maddalena Fight As He Eyes Welterweight Title

Buckley Blasts Makhachev’s Double-Champ Dreams

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
Let’s go
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 11, 2025

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.”

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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.

Also Read: ‘We Are Ready With Pen In Hand’ – Team Charles Oliveira Ready For The Ilia Topuria Fight Contract Post UFC 315 Main Event Result

Islam Makhachev

Jack Della Maddalena vs Belal Muhammad

Joaquin Buckley

UFC 315

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.