Welterweight challenger laments Islam Makhachev's rise: 'F**** the division'

Islam Makhachev relinquished his UFC lightweight title. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC India

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With the official announcement that Jack Della Maddalena will defend his welterweight title (up to 77,1 kg) for the first time against Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 322 in November, many of the other fighters in the division are forced to wait for the next chapters of the division. Among them is Sean Brady , ranked second and currently on a three-fight winning streak.

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The American stated in an interview with 'UFC Unfiltered', the Ultimate's official podcast , that even understanding Makhachev's decision, the Russian's pursuit of the belt disrupted the natural progression of the division.

“Islam moving up is what’s going to screw up this whole division, but you can’t be mad at him. I know he and Topuria are trying to set something up. If he wins, I think he’ll stay at 77,1 kg; if he loses, there’s a greater chance he’ll go back to 70,3 kg. If he wins the title, he’ll defend the position once or twice and then vacate it or retire,” said the American, who is coming off a victory against Leon Edwards.

Sean Brady says Islam moving up f***** up the whole division

"Islam coming up is what kind of f*** up this whole division, but you can't be mad at him. I know he and Topuria are trying to set something up. If he wins, I think he stays at 170; if he loses, there's a bigger… pic.twitter.com/FwEX1bixq3

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 29, 2025

Islam Makhachev seeks historic UFC feat

Islam Makhachev defended his title at UFC 311. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

A victory against Della Maddalena could change the level of the Russian's career. Besides becoming the tenth fighter in history to win belts in two weight classes, Makhachev would reach a record of 16 consecutive wins in the organization, surpassing Kamaru Usman and equaling Anderson Silva as the two athletes with the most consecutive victories. His only professional loss came almost a decade ago when he was knocked out by Brazilian Adriano Martins at UFC 192.

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