Islam Makhachev produced a masterclass in pressure and grappling on Saturday night, outclassing Jack Della Maddalena over five one-sided rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory and capture the UFC welterweight championship at Madison Square Garden.

Competing at 170 pounds after vacating his lightweight belt in pursuit of two-division glory, the 34-year-old showed no difficulty adjusting to the jump in weight. Makhachev picked apart his Australian challenger with punishing calf kicks before imposing a relentless wrestling assault that kept Della Maddalena trapped on the canvas and battling constant submission threats.

“This is my plan,” Makhachev said afterward. “It’s not a secret — all my opponents know this, and nobody can stop it.” He then called for his first title defence to take place at the proposed UFC event on the White House lawn in 2026.

The judges scored the bout 50–45 across the board, earning Makhachev his 16th straight UFC win and making him the 11th fighter in promotion history to hold titles in multiple weight classes.

Shevchenko Shuts Down Zhang to Retain Flyweight Gold

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko once again showcased her championship pedigree, turning back Zhang Weili’s bid to join the exclusive list of two-division UFC champions. The 37-year-old flyweight queen controlled every round, punishing Zhang with precise body kicks, sharp counters, and well-timed takedowns whenever the Chinese contender attempted to shift momentum.

“I prepared for this fight as the hardest challenge of my life,” Shevchenko said after celebrating with her trademark victory dance. “This is what I call the art of martial arts. When they are here in front of me, they cannot do anything.”

Shevchenko swept the scorecards 50–45, further cementing her legacy as one of MMA’s most dominant champions.