Islam Makhachev 'feeling comfortable' at welterweight heading into UFC 322

Islam Makhachev vacated his 155-pound championship to move up to the welterweight division in pursuit of a second UFC division title. 

The Khabib Nurmagomedov protege headlines Saturday's UFC 322 fight card at Madison Square Garden in New York against welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena. Makhachev put on pounds for the welterweight move and feels comfortable with the added mass. 

"I'm not like big for welterweight, but sure I'm not small," Makhachev told TNT Fight Sports. "I gained weight. Now I become big guy." 

"I feel comfortable, and I feel really good in the camp, all camp. Right now, it's fight week, I have energy, you know. Like happy," continued Makhachev. "For the health, I think welterweight is better for me."

Looking at the stylistic matchup, Makhachev believes he'll have a clear edge grappling, and predicts he'll finish the champion on the ground. 

"Jack has good striking. I know he's not good on the grappling or wrestling, but he's not like weak point, but his good point is his striking. That's why it's no secret I will try to take him down, hold him, and finish him on the ground," he said.

Winning a second UFC divisional title and joining the exclusive champ-champ club motivates Makhachev. It's an achievement he wants for his legacy. 

"Of course, this is the big things to be double champion. It's like, for example, in our country nobody like become UFC double champion. That's why it's big things for my legacy. I really want to take this belt and defend this belt," he said.

The bout pits two of the fight promotion's longest winning streaks against each other. Makhachev enters the fight riding 15 consecutive wins . His only career defeat came a decade ago. Della Maddalena brings with him an 18-fight winning streak to the octagon. It's been nine years since "JDM" felt a loss.