Always striving for new challenges, Islam Makhachev stares at the stars with one eye while keeping the other glued to earth. Two months from now, on November 15, a dazzling array of fighters will light up the famed Madison Square Garden in New York. With the likes of Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Leon Edwards, and Bo Nickal participating, UFC 322 promises to give fans an unforgettable experience. But for all that matters, there will be only one fight in everyone’s sights: the headliner between Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title.

Climbing up a weight class, Islam Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight title in June, wants the champion’s belt. A win in a second weight class will add a feather to his storied career that took root in the humble surroundings of Dagestan. It’s been over a decade since Makhachev made his UFC debut as a member of Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s team. Still, whether it’s his pound-for-pound ranking, a championship, or the $6 million net worth, he hasn’t forgotten how it all started.

Islam Makhachev’s gritty rise

To understand, one only needs to look at an interview Islam Makhachev gave. Footage of the conversation has been going viral on the UFC subreddit. Spilling the tea on the days when he landed in the United States, the Russian icon revealed how even basic hand wraps were out of his reach. “I saw Luke Rockhold tape his hand before all training (sessions),” he said. It appears Rockhold had hand surgery at the time. So watching Rockhold tape his hand, he resolved, “I thinking, I will make the same every day – before sparring, before the work is used in the mix.” But there was a problem.

Islam Makhachev recalls a time when proper hand wraps were too expensive, so he had to use regular tape. Today, he can buy the best tape for every training session 😅💪
byu/IgotgAme_k inufc

“And I calculate how much I spend money, and I think the regular tape is enough for me,” he revealed. Times have changed, and Islam Makhachev can now purchase the best accessories available. From those days, Makhachev now stands at the top of his game. He inspires a legion of youngsters who want to forge a career in MMA.

Throughout his journey, one thing that didn’t change, though. His association with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev has known the legend and his father since childhood. Especially the way the former champion trained kept him motivated.

“I did the same things my whole life [as Khabib]—follow him, follow the discipline. Follow everything. I understood. I can be a UFC champion,” he said.

The JDM test

But in Jack Della Maddalena, or more commonly JDM, Islam Makhachev faces a formidable challenge. It’s a proverbial clash of styles. The Russian grappling ace vs. the Aussie striker, whose 12 out of 18 wins were secured via knockouts.

What makes the matchup so intriguing is that it’s happening at a momentous phase in Makhachev’s career. He has dominated the lightweight division, successfully defending his title against top opponents like Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira.

Many believe there aren’t many fighters left in lightweight who can seriously challenge him. That makes moving up to welterweight the logical next step.

But the risks are real. For sure, Islam Makhachev hasn’t overlooked them either. Welterweights are bigger, stronger, and tougher. So fighters moving up from lightweight often face problems. For Makhachev, the challenge will be to gain weight while maintaining his speed and cardio.

Fans will be keenly watching how the former lightweight champion adapts and whether he can cement his legacy as one of UFC’s all-time greats.

Do you think Makhachev will be able to inflict JDM’s first UFC loss?