'Nobody can stop me': Islam Makhachev calls for White House card as Jack Della Maddalena loses UFC title
Updated . First published at
Jack Della Maddalena has lost his welterweight title in his first defence, falling to Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 322.
After winning the belt from Belal Muhammad earlier this year, the Australian faced a tough first assignment as champion against one of the sport's all-time greats.
Makhachev relinquished his lightweight title to move up to 170 pounds and entered rarified air with a victory over Della Maddalena to become a two-division champ, placing him alongside the likes of Conor McGregor and Alex Pereira.
AS IT HAPPENED: UFC 322 full results
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All three judges scored it 50-45 in favour of the Russian, who proved far too dominant for Della Maddalena on the ground across the five rounds at Madison Square Garden.
Jack Della Maddalena struggled to contain Islam Makhachev. Zuffa LLC
"This was the game plan for Islam - complete domination," Joe Rogan said in commentary.
"These guys are on a completely different level - Islam and Khabib [Nurmagomedov] - the discipline and the way they train and the proof is in the results."
Speaking post-fight, Makhachev admitted not having to cut weight to 155 pounds has been life-changing and "nobody can stop" what he produced in New York.
"This is my dream, all my life I wanted these two belts ... I worked hard for this moment," the 34-year-old told Rogan after the decision.
"I swear to god, my life has changed. Not cutting weight, I can wrestle for five rounds and I can do whatever I want and it makes this night so easy.
"This is my plan, it's not a secret, all my opponents know this and nobody can stop me."
Islam Makhachev reacts after his win Zuffa LLC
Asked when he wants to defend the welterweight strap for the first time, Makhachev gave a very simple response and it would have UFC officials licking their lips.
"Donald Trump - let's go, open the White House, I am coming," he said.
It's a bitter setback for Della Maddalena, who earned plenty of admirers on his road to the top of the UFC and will no doubt be back for another crack at glory.
The proud Perth product had won 18-straight fights prior to the clash with Makhachev.
