The mixed martial arts world is no stranger to ambitious leaps between weight classes. Champions seeking double-champ status or simply new challenges often eye the throne in an adjacent division. The latest buzz centers around UFC Lightweight king, Islam Makhachev, and speculation about a potential move up to welterweight to challenge the division`s newly crowned champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
While such a move would undoubtedly generate significant fan interest and a compelling narrative, it`s a prospect viewed with less enthusiasm by those already navigating the shark-infested waters of the welterweight top ranks. Providing a voice for this sentiment is none other than veteran welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.
Thompson, a two-time challenger for the welterweight title himself and a fighter acutely familiar with the division`s landscape, didn`t mince words when discussing the potential scenario. Imagining himself in the shoes of a fighter currently sitting high in the rankings, perhaps within the coveted top five, Thompson articulated a likely feeling of frustration.
“If I was in the top-five,” Thompson remarked, “I would be very upset that this guy who just got the title is already looking at somebody from a different division.” The logic is straightforward: the welterweight division boasts a roster of elite contenders who have spent years climbing the ranks, facing tough opposition, and positioning themselves for a shot at gold. To see a champion from another weight class potentially bypass this established queue could feel like a slap in the face to their efforts.
Thompson highlighted some of the names waiting in the wings, fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Garry, and even a returning force like Kamaru Usman. These are athletes who have built impressive resumes within the division and are widely considered deserving of title opportunities. From Thompson`s perspective, these fighters have a more legitimate claim to challenge Della Maddalena than someone arriving from 155 pounds, regardless of their achievements there.
The veteran fighter suggested that a more traditional path would see Della Maddalena defend his newly acquired title against the established contenders within his own division first. “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,” Thompson stated, advocating for the divisional hierarchy to play out.
While expressing solidarity with the potential frustration of his fellow welterweights, Thompson also offered a brief analysis of the hypothetical matchup itself. He views it as a “very tough fight for Islam Makhachev coming up.” Thompson pointed to Della Maddalena`s inherent size advantage at 170 pounds and, notably, his strong takedown defense – a crucial attribute against a dominant grappler like Makhachev. He drew a parallel to Della Maddalena`s recent opponent, Belal Muhammad, who also possesses strong grappling credentials and exceptional cardio, qualities JDM successfully navigated.
Thompson conceded that Makhachev`s striking might hold an edge over Muhammad`s, adding an interesting dynamic, but ultimately reiterated that the challenge of moving up a weight class to face a skilled, larger champion like Della Maddalena presents significant hurdles for the lightweight king.
Ultimately, the speculation surrounding Makhachev`s potential move highlights a recurring tension in combat sports: the balance between maintaining divisional integrity and rewarding dominant champions with high-profile, cross-divisional superfights. While the latter often generates significant buzz and revenue, as Stephen Thompson aptly points out, it can leave a trail of disgruntled contenders wondering when their patiently awaited opportunity will finally arrive.
