Makhachev Reflects On Maddalena Win Ahead of UFC 330

Islam Makhachev has reflected on his dominant welterweight title win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November.

"I wanted to be double champion. It's good for my legacy. I remember the first takedown, how easy it come, and I understand it's gonna be a long night for Jack,” Makhachev

Makhachev gave Maddalena a grappling clinic across five rounds, neutralising the Australian's striking entirely and claiming the welterweight gold with minimal resistance.

Now Makhachev makes his first welterweight title defence against Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event on August 15th in Philadelphia. Garry has been vocal about the superiority of his striking and is hunting his first knockout since 2023.

Whether Garry can back up the talk is the central question heading into Philadelphia. His grappling was tested in late 2024 against Shavkat Rakhmonov — a fight he lost but made competitive. Surviving Rakhmonov's wrestling and surviving Makhachev's are two very different propositions. The answer arrives on August 15th.