Overview

• Islam Makhachev vacated his four-time lightweight crown in June and is set to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year
• Khabib Nurmagomedov said he’s more concerned about Della Maddalena than lightweight titleholder Ilia Topuria due to the Australian’s size, strength and scrambling ability
• Della Maddalena secured the welterweight belt in May by outpointing Belal Muhammad and has demonstrated elite reactive takedown defense
• Israel Adesanya predicted Della Maddalena will knock out Makhachev by neutralizing his scrambles, a view underscored by Alexander Volkanovski’s praise of the champion’s striking focus
• UFC officials are in negotiations to finalize a fall date for the bout at Madison Square Garden, though Della Maddalena has signaled a preference to defend on home soil in Australia