Islam Makhachev called out UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena after his win at UFC 315.
Makhachev is the current champion at 155lbs in the UFC, and has yet to be beaten since holding the title.
The lightweight champion is contemplating a move to 170lbs since initially capturing the belt by beating Oliveira in 2022.
He has yet to confirm his next move but has been heavily linked with a huge showdown against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, the 33-year-old now has his eyes on another plan.
He tweeted in the aftermath of UFC 315: “Time to become a double champion. Let’s go.”
Della Maddalena was too very keen on the fight, having declared his intentions to fight the Russian prior to his win over Belal Muhammad.
“I think it’s a beautiful challenge,” he said.
“He’s pound-for-pound No. 1. I’m going to get him back for Alexander Volkanovski.”
The Australian ripped the title from Muhammad after a bloody five-round war at UFC 315.
He is now 8-0 in the UFC and is a real prospect for anyone who wants to try and dismount him from the leading 170lbs slot.
It was expected that a title fight between Topuria and Makhachev would headline UFC 317.
Makhachev wants the chance to be double champion by beating Della MaddalenaGettyBut given the Australian’s victory, the UFC will likely now be forced to see if the technically gifted Russian can conquer another weight class.
‘JDM’ is hugely confident he can be the second person to beat Makhachev since Adriano Martins in 2015.
And he believes the current 155lbs champion deserves the shot over Shavkat Rakhmonov.
He said: “I think so [he’s deserving]. “My thoughts are I think the double champion thing, it shouldn’t be a thing if you haven’t defended your belt.
“That would be my opinion. I think Islam deserves a shot if he comes up. I think no one would have a problem.
“I’m sure it would be an annoying spot for Shavkat [Rakhmonov] but that’s the thing about the double-champion, it obviously throws off a division.
Makhachev will make his debut at 170lbs if he pursues his call-outGetty“That’s why it shouldn’t happen all the time but with Islam, I think it makes sense.”
So Makhachev is likely to snub the huge showdown with Topuria.
But he has left the door open to the clash, insisting he will try to keep hold of his 155lbs title if he does move up in weight.
It appears Makhachev’s bitter rival will instead face Oliveira, a real threat, in the UFC 317 main event.
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