Jack Della Maddalena secured the UFC welterweight championship by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 last May in Montreal. He is now preparing for his first title defense in the 170-pound division against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, sparking debate among top contenders about his future title defenses.
This matchup means top welterweight contenders such as Kamaru Usman and Sean Brady will likely have to wait until early 2026 for their opportunity at the belt while Della Maddalena and Makhachev settle the division’s next chapter. The delay has caused frustration among some fighters who believe Della Maddalena should face multiple defenses before moving on to Makhachev.
Top Fighters Express Discontent Over Title Defense Plans
Stephen Thompson, a former welterweight title challenger, shared his dissatisfaction with the current situation. He expressed that if he were among the top five contenders, he would be frustrated that the new champion is immediately focused on a challenger from a different weight class instead of defending against more deserving fighters within the division.
“Well, number one, if I was in the Top 5, I would be very upset that this guy who just got the title is already looking at somebody from a different division,”
Thompson said in an interview with MMA Fighting.
“If it was me who, if I’m in the Top 5, more deserving than this guy coming up, like I’ve been waiting here. Where’s the Shavkat Rakhmonov’s, where’s the Ian Garry’s, Usman, who’s been in the mix, is back in the mix, if you will, after beating [Joaquin] Buckley. Like these guys, I think, are more deserving of it because they’ve been there. If it was me, I would want JDM to like fight at least one more time, or two more times before looking at somebody from a different weight class.”
—Stephen Thompson, former welterweight title challenger
It is worth noting that Shavkat Rakhmonov is currently sidelined due to injury, and Ian Garry is ranked outside the top five, which complicates the picture of who is immediately next in line for a title shot.
Thompson Views the Upcoming Fight as a Tough Challenge
Despite the criticisms, Thompson acknowledged that the upcoming bout between Della Maddalena and Makhachev represents a significant challenge. He emphasized Della Maddalena’s physical advantages and grappling skills, while also recognizing Makhachev’s striking ability as a key factor in the fight.
“Now, I think it’s a good fight,”
Thompson remarked.
“I think it’s a very tough fight for Islam Makhachev coming up. [Della Maddalena’s] a bigger guy, a guy with great takedown defense, and a guy who just won the title from somebody very similar to himself in Belal Muhammad. Cardio for days, strong grappling background. I do believe that Islam has a better striking than Belal does, so I think that would be interesting, but I think it’s a very tough fight for Islam, for sure.”
—Stephen Thompson, former welterweight title challenger
Thompson’s insights reflect his experience in high-stakes title fights as he prepares to return to the octagon in the UFC Nashville co-main event against Gabriel Bonfim. This fight could impact his own ranking, as a loss might cost him his place among the official welterweight contenders.
Implications for the Welterweight Division and Future Title Shots
With Della Maddalena’s focus shifting to a champion from a different weight class, the welterweight division faces a temporary pause for many hopefuls positioned in the top five rankings. Fighters like Kamaru Usman and Sean Brady, who have been vying for the title, must now wait longer for a chance to compete for the belt. The scenario also raises questions about how the division will progress once Della Maddalena’s bout with Makhachev concludes.
The outcome of this fight could define the welterweight landscape heading into 2026, either solidifying Della Maddalena’s reign or opening opportunities for the waiting contenders. Meanwhile, interest remains high in upcoming UFC events such as UFC Nashville, where established names like Thompson continue to seek their place in the division‘s hierarchy.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What rank is Jack Della Maddalena in UFC?
A. He fights in the UFC’s Welterweight category and holds the title of UFC Welterweight Champion. By July 1, 2025, he ranks eighth among all male fighters in the UFC pound-for-pound list.