A lot was riding on the UFC 315 main event between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. Not only would it have determined who the welterweight champion of the UFC is, but also the future of the lightweight division. Islam Makhchev, of course, had confirmed he would move up to welterweight if ‘JDM’ beat his friend Muhammad.

And people didn’t quite expect what they got. Della Maddalena started off pretty strong, punishing Muhammad with some pretty crisp striking and avoiding all takedowns from the champ until the third round. But just as the fight looked to be going ‘JDM’s way, ‘Bully B’ fought back in the fourth, finding his own hands and landing his first takedown.

The last round was an absolute thriller, going back and forth between the two men, even as Muhammad ate some hard, wobbling shots, and kept fighting to the last bell. And while ‘JDM’ won a clear unanimous decision, Muhammad did show that he could strike too, and had a granite block of a chin as he never stopped trying to get a finish even as the Aussie had him bloodied, battered, and dead tired.

And with this victory, ‘JDM’ has seemingly sealed a clash with Islam Makhachev, even as Ilia Topuria will have to make do with an interim lightweight title clash with Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. “I think its a beautiful challenge, he’s pound for pound no. 1. I’m gonna get him back for Volk,” the new 170-pound king said when asked what he made of a fight with the Dagestani lightweight champ. And, as you can imagine, the UFC world was absolutely enthralled with the fight.

Alexander Volkanovski, UFC world react to

Former UFC star Derek Brunson, tweeting during the fight, was very worried about the lack of takedowns on ‘Bully B’s part despite it being his best suit: “Belal we need some takedowns . We want to see Islam vs Topuria !!!! 😱 #UFC315”.

‘JDM’s Australian compatriot and friend, Alexander Volkanovski, whose two losses to Makhachev the new 170-pound king vowed to avenge, was pretty chuffed at his victory: “Yeeeew.. Gotta be jack! #andnew #ufc315”

Islam Makhachev, too, confirmed that he would indeed be moving up and contending for a second title: “Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah Let’s go”.

The fans were more divided. Some were very impressed with Muhammad’s effort, while others were mournful that we will not get to see Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria next:

“Tremendous fight. Congrats to Jack and respect to Belal”

“Ilia vs Charles”

“Dana gave belal $15 extra to not shoot”

“NOO WE NEED TOPURIA VS ISLAM”

“Well Belal who was making a big mouth about Kamaru Usman who has more than 4 title defenses”

What do you think about the prospect of Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev for the title next?