In the ever-evolving world of the UFC, the welterweight division of the organization is witnessing a seismic change with each moving step. Not so long ago, Leon Edwards lost the 170-pound throne to Belal Muhammad after being dominated for five rounds. While many thought the reign would go on for a while, the Australian Jack Della Maddalena, in a very similar bout to the previous title bout, dominated Muhammad and recently became the new welterweight king.

The celebrations must be a spectacle for the Aussies, but a dark cloud soon came looming over them. The Dagestani phenom, Islam Makhachev, soon after the victory of ‘JDM’, announced that he will be vacating his lightweight championship because his future endeavors will start with a welterweight title shot and remain there for the time being. While addressing his ambition, Makhachev once said, “This is my dream to be double-champ. I don’t want to leave this sport before I take a second belt.”

Will he be able to do it? We can only find the answer once they clash inside the Octagon; until then, we can only speculate. But that is not the only significant change in the welterweight division. Whoever walks out as the champion between ‘JDM’ and Makhachev will have a streak of challengers ready to fight them for the belt. And to further ensure this, the Brazilian 170-pound sensation Michael Morales has just entered the Top 10 UFC rankings, entering it at 8th.

At UFC Vegas 106, Morales was given the toughest challenge of his career as he headed inside the Octagon to face a seasoned veteran in Gilbert Burns. However, the experience gap didn’t worry Morales much as he was able to finish ‘Durinho’ in the very first round. Following this, Burns slid two tiles down the rankings and landed at the #10th spot.

The details were revealed in a post shared by MMA enthusiast John Morgan, who wrote, “Michael Morales is now a top-10 welterweight following the latest official rankings update after #UFCVegas106. Morales moves up four spots to No. 8 on the list, while the man he beat, Gilbert Burns, slides two spots to No. 10.” 

The undefeated Ecuadorian reached a massive streak of 18 fights after beating Burns, making his MMA record 18-0. Morales is on a seven-fight win streak in the UFC, and with a huge momentum on his side, he will look forward to finishing more fighters and claiming his ground as a top contender for the throne of the welterweights.

But the challenge ahead isn’t easy, it’s very difficult. Michael Morales is a rising contender in a division full of rising contenders, from wrestlers to pure strikers, the 170-pound division is easily the most stacked right now. Which also makes it the most susceptible to even a moment of weakness.

UFC’s welterweight division waits eagerly for the ‘JDM’ vs Islam fight outcome

Even if a lifelong dream is accomplished, if Makhachev beats Maddalena, the celebrations will be short-lived because winning a title just makes you a champion; defending it makes you a great one. The conditions will be the same for ‘JDM’ if he beats Makhachev. Whoever sits on the throne following their clash will notice more than enough sets of eyes desperately seeking a chance to take the throne.

Ranked #2 in the division. Sean Brady is one specimen to be alert about. Brady began his UFC career with five straight wins, skyrocketing him through the rankings until he met the most recent former welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad. ‘Bully B’ is the only fighter to have beaten or finished Brady. Following the loss, Brady went on yet another winning streak, currently at three, where his most significant victory came when he submitted Leon Edwards. With that performance, a title shot for him is solidified, and whoever wins between Makhachev and Maddalena will most likely have their first defense against Brady.

Then, at rank #3, comes possibly the most feared 170-pounder of the recent era in Shavkat Rakhmonov. The Kazakh tore through his competition rather quickly, securing him a top spot among the welterweights. However, Rakhmonov’s career is quite unfortunate; on two different occasions, Shavkat has had to withdraw from a title fight against Muhammad. If he had gotten one of them, the landscape of this division could’ve been very different. Currently on a 7-fight win streak and a huge win over Ian Garry to show for it. Rakhmonov is also waiting for his day.

So, what can we expect from Islam Makhachev or Jack Della Maddalena? Their fight won’t just start and close a chapter; it’s an open book right now, and its pages are still being filled with history, the history that the new guard of the UFC eagerly wants to recreate. The question is, will ‘JDM’ be ready? Or Makhachev? Because the real welterweight test will begin after their fight only. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.