Jack Della Maddalena shocked the combat sports world in May when he defeated Belal Muhammad to become the new UFC welterweight champion. Despite Muhammad being the favorite due to his grappling pedigree, the Palestinian had no answer for the Aussie on fight night. That loss, however, set off a chain reaction—prompting Muhammad’s training partner, Islam Makhachev, to move up in weight in pursuit of double-champ status.

Islam Makhachev vacated his lightweight title and stepped up to face ‘JDM’. The two are now set to clash this Saturday night at Madison Square Garden for the welterweight crown. Yet ahead of the bout, UFC legend Chael Sonnen has offered a surprising take. He believes this fight isn’t as big as Jack Della Maddalena’s previous matchup with Belal Muhammad despite the escalating buzz around it. But why is that? According to Sonnen, the answer is simple.

Chael Sonnen claims ‘title fight’ made JDM vs. Belal Muhammad bigger

‘The American Gangster’ believes that both Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena, fighters usually known for their respectful buildup, have noticeably ramped up the trash talk ahead of their showdown. “I’m watching Islam and Jack both doing that. And I’m finding it most interesting that I’ve never seen Islam or Jack do it,” Sonnen said in his YouTube video. He speculated on why the tone has shifted, adding that Maddalena’s previous fight was actually bigger than this one.

“I mean, Jack’s last fight’s a bigger fight than this one,” he added. And why is that? Sonnen argues it’s because Maddalena’s bout with Muhammad was for a title, whereas the Makhachev fight is his first title defense. “Cuz it was for the world championship. It’s not as big of a deal if you go out and defend a world championship, right? You got to win it in the first place. His last fight was a bigger fight, and he didn’t do it then.”

He finds it intriguing that a title defense has pushed both usually composed fighters into uncharacteristic trash talk. “Ultimately, it balances out, but from a psychology standpoint, it’s fascinating to watch,” Sonnen added in his YouTube video. However, Sonnen doesn’t acknowledge a major factor. Islam vs. ‘JDM’ is a superfight—the pound-for-pound king pursuing two-division glory at 170 against the welterweight champion, who just stunned Belal.

And ‘JDM’ vs. Belal, while a title fight, was also a defense for Belal, a fighter who isn’t exactly a fan favorite. This matchup stands apart. It’s a legacy-making collision—Dagestani wrestling against Australian striking, and it’s the kind of fight that fills MSG on its own. Belal may have built the throne, but Islam is coming to claim it. Regardless, since Sonnen feels the Belal fight was bigger, what does ‘Remember the Name’ think about it? 

Belal Muhammad predicts Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev

Belal Muhammad has offered a breakdown of the UFC 322 welterweight title fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. And he’s leaning toward the former lightweight king. Having fought Della Maddalena and trained with Makhachev, Muhammad believes the outcome hinges on what happens once the fight hits the canvas.

“It’s going to come down to if it hits the ground,” Muhammad said. He praised Makhachev’s “very smart, very controlled” top game and warned that Della Maddalena’s scrambling style might cost him. “Jack makes mistakes on the ground… he’ll give up his back, he’ll give up his neck… and you can’t do that with Islam.”

Muhammad added that Della Maddalena must stay off the fence and control the center to avoid Makhachev’s suffocating pressure. But ultimately, his pick is clear. “I think I’m going to pick Islam in this fight to win it… if it goes to the ground, I think it’s going to be a finish.”

Despite what Chael Sonnen may think about the fight, there’s no denying that both Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev are planning to win come fight night. But do you agree with Sonnen?