Jack Della Maddalena is feeling good about his chances in a potential super fight against Islam Makhachev.

After winning the UFC welterweight title this past Saturday at UFC 315, Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) thinks he’s set up quite nicely to face who many consider the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet. Not only is becoming a UFC champion a validating moment for Della Maddalena, but very important, who he beat to get the belt. Della Maddalena dominated Belal Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC), who’s known for his high-level wrestling, and he did so by neutralizing Muhammad’s grappling – which on paper looks very promising for a potential fight with Makhachev.

“I think this was a good practice match for Islam,” Della Maddalena said at the UFC 315 post-fight press conference.

Makhachev, who holds the UFC lightweight title, has been very vocal about wanting to move up tp welterweight and challenge for his second divisional title. After UFC 315, Makhachev doubled down on those plans, making a clear what he wants next. Della Maddalena thinks Mkhachev should get his shot.

“I think there are a lot of good welterweights, but I think Islam, with what he’s done, I think he deserves the shot if he wants to step up. But that’s not my call. It’s up to the UFC,” Della Maddalena said.

As far as the UFC championship win, Della Maddalena is happy with what he was able to do on Saturday night. He expected a tough fight and a victory to go along with it, and that’s exactly what he got.

“I thought it was going to be a tough fight, and it was a tough fight,” Della Maddalena said. “I feel like I confused him with the footwork. I have to watch it back, but I believed I could stuff the takedowns, and I believe I did that. It all worked out well. The feeling, I tried to visualize it – but obviously the moment was a special feeling to get the belt.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jack Della Maddalena UFC 315 win ‘good practice match’ Islam Makhachev

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