Overview
- Della Maddalena said beating the unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov would likely vault him into an immediate title rematch, calling it his preferred next fight.
- He also welcomed a bout with Carlos Prates, responding to a public callout as reports suggest the matchup is being discussed for UFC 327 in Miami.
- Reflecting on his UFC 322 loss, Della Maddalena credited Makhachev’s top control and “pinning” as the decisive factor that stifled his offense.
- Rakhmonov, sidelined more than a year with meniscus and partial ACL injuries, is expected to return within one to two months after his 2024 win over Ian Machado Garry.
- Debate over an Islam Makhachev–Ilia Topuria superfight continued as Della Maddalena favored Makhachev on size and Charles Oliveira said Topuria could score a KO on the feet, though Topuria’s hiatus makes the matchup unlikely soon.