The current UFC welterweight champion shows little sympathy for his fellow Russian fighter. Islam Makhachev, who recently secured the 170-pound title—fulfilling his goal of holding championships in two weight classes—dominated Jacques Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322, earning the welterweight belt after a dominant run as lightweight champion.
Makhachev faces numerous threats in his division, but one undefeated contender, once seen as a rising star, no longer poses a future challenge to him.
The UFC welterweight rankings are led by Jacques Della Maddalena at #1, followed by Ian Machado Garry, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Michael Morales, Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates, Sean Brady, Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, and Joaquin Buckley.
In recent news, the UFC made a controversial decision not to renew the contract of Rinat Fakhreddinov, despite his impressive undefeated streak in seven Octagon fights and a 24-1-1 overall record. Fakhreddinov’s quick knockout at UFC Paris in September failed to secure him a new deal, sparking debate across the MMA community. Makhachev commented in an interview that Fakhreddinov didn’t put in enough effort to promote himself, emphasizing that the UFC values fighters who can draw attention and generate revenue, not just those who quietly win. He advised Fakhreddinov to learn English, improve marketing skills, and engage the audience with a showmanship style that the UFC prefers.
Fakhreddinov responded after his UFC exit by clarifying that his contract was not terminated and expressed no disappointment over the lack of renewal, claiming to have received better offers elsewhere with improved compensation. He also hinted that some undisclosed actions he took in the UFC might have upset certain individuals within the organization.
Fan Take: This situation highlights the increasing importance of marketability in MMA, signaling that winning alone may no longer guarantee career longevity in the UFC. For fight fans, it underscores the evolving dynamics of the sport where entertainment value and fighter branding are becoming just as critical as athletic prowess.
