The results of the upcoming UFC 315 main event between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena will play a pivotal part in deciding the fate of Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title aspirations. Recently, a renowned UFC welterweight tallied Makhachev against the UFC 315 main eventers to rate him as the favorite in a potential fight with both Muhammad and Maddalena.
Islam Makhachev Should Fight at Welterweight, Implied the Seasoned UFC Fighter
It has been almost a year since Islam Makhachev first expressed his desire to fight for his second belt. The reigning lightweight champ revealed the same during his UFC 302 octagon interview with Joe Rogan, following his third successful title defense against Dustin Poirier.
However, his brotherly relations with Belal Muhammad, who claimed the welterweight title at UFC 304, made him postpone his aspirations to become a two-division champ by capturing the welterweight gold.
The results of the UFC 315 main event between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena currently stand as the most crucial factor in Makhachev’s desire to claim the welterweight title.
Makhachev is set to move up to welterweight and fight for the title if Maddalena claims the strap with a victory over Muhammad at UFC 315. However, the seasoned UFC welterweight, Gilbert Burns, recently advised Islam Makhachev to choose welterweight as his regular weight class.
In his recent interview with Inside Fighting, Burns also implied that Makhachev has the tools to defeat both Muhammad and Maddalena in a potential fight.
“Yes, [Makhachev can beat both Muhammad and Maddalena] he is that good. I think Islam is a welterweight”, said Burns. He continued, “He [Makhachev] just kills himself to make weight, and every time he makes weight, he looks horrible. After the weigh-in, he’s big again. Yes, I favor him over Jack and Belal.”
Gilbert Burns Says Islam Makhachev ‘Looks Horrible’ After Making Weight, Favors Him Over Jack and Belal 🤯
"I think Islam is a welterweight; he's already big. He just kills himself to make weight, and every time he makes weight, he looks horrible. After the weigh-in, he's big… pic.twitter.com/FDog2nGNgO— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 8, 2025
In other words, ‘Durinho’ predicted that Makhachev would eventually dethrone Maddalena even if he claims the welterweight title after defeating Muhammad at the UFC 315 main event. Muhammad, on the other hand, stays immune from the reigning lightweight champ due to their brotherly interpersonal relationship, coming with an undocumented agreement to never fight each other.
Maddalena, however, is open to a fight against Makhachev. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the Australian welterweight mentioned that he would be happy to provide Makhachev with a crack at the welterweight gold. Maddalena also mentioned that he would like his potential fight with Makhachev to headline a PPV event in his home country.