Islam Makhachev didn’t look out of place at 170 pounds as he dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 and now we know just how big the former lightweight champion was on fight night.
In recently released backstage footage from the Anatomy of a Fighter series, Makhachev is shown weighing in ahead of his fight with Della Maddalena and clocking in at a healthy 189.4 pounds.
Check out a clip below, courtesy of Championship Rounds.
UFC 322 marked Makhachev’s welterweight debut, following a dominant run at lightweight that saw him win 15 straight fights dating back to 2015, a run that included a lightweight title win and four straight successful defenses (a UFC record). Following Della Maddalena becoming welterweight champion with a win over Belal Muhammad this past May, Makhachev vacated his 155-pound title and declared his intentions to move up to 170 pounds to challenge for a second belt.
At the official weigh-ins, Makhachev weighed in at 170 pounds on the dot, just ounces heavier than Della Maddalena, who came in at 169.8. When the two stepped in the cage, Makhachev did not appear to give up much size, and his trademark wrestling was on full display as he outmuscled and completely neutralized Della Maddalena on the ground for 25 minutes.
Watch the full episode of Anatomy of a Fighter below.
