Islam Makhachev is widely recognized for his resolute fighting spirit, embodying an “anyone, anywhere, anytime” philosophy that is even celebrated with a quote at the UFC Performance Institute. As Makhachev himself articulated in 2023 following a sudden opponent change, being a champion means being the best in the world and facing any challenger presented.
Given this established mentality, the idea that Makhachev is actively avoiding a fight against former featherweight king Ilia Topuria seems difficult to accept. However, this narrative gained traction after Makhachev announced his decision to vacate his lightweight belt and move up to the welterweight division (170 pounds) to pursue a second championship against Jack Della Maddalena. Topuria has vocally accused Makhachev of ducking him, a claim echoed by some analysts like Chael Sonnen. Yet, UFC legend Matt Brown strongly opposes this viewpoint.
Appearing on *The Fighter vs. The Writer*, Brown expressed his surprise at such claims, labeling them “a very silly thing to say.” He found the concept of “Islam ducking someone” inherently nonsensical. Brown highlighted the stylistic similarities between Della Maddalena and Topuria, describing Della Maddalena as essentially a larger counterpart who is also an excellent boxer with power. Brown questioned the logic of moving up in weight to face a bigger, powerful boxer if the goal was to avoid a smaller fighter with a similar skill set, deeming it “kind of counterintuitive.”
Brown pointed out the significant size difference: Della Maddalena stands 5-foot-11 with a 73-inch reach, considerably larger than Topuria`s 5-foot-7 frame and 69-inch reach. Della Maddalena, the recently crowned champion after defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, is highly regarded for his boxing technique and knockout power. Makhachev`s own physical dimensions fall between the two.
This size disparity serves as another reason Brown dismisses the notion that Makhachev is evading a potential clash with Topuria only to charge headfirst into a more dangerous encounter with Della Maddalena.
Brown reiterated that the terms “Islam” and “ducking” simply “don’t go together.” He defined “ducking” as deliberately going out of one`s way to avoid a particular fighter. In contrast, he sees Makhachev`s move as clearly pursuing a “bigger opportunity” – the chance to become a two-division champion. Brown attributed much of the “ducking” talk to fans seeking drama, whether online or elsewhere, suggesting it exaggerates the reality. He firmly believes there is “not a single ounce of ducking” in Makhachev, even speculating that he would compete at middleweight (185 pounds) or light heavyweight (205 pounds) if a significant opportunity arose.
Stylistically, Brown, who spent his entire UFC career at welterweight, believes Makhachev is undertaking a greater risk by challenging a fighter in a higher weight class. While acknowledging Topuria`s undeniable skill, Brown stressed the inherent differences dictated by weight divisions, suggesting Della Maddalena could be a tougher matchup. He argued that Della Maddalena is potentially even more technically refined on his feet than Topuria, though Topuria might possess greater pound-for-pound power. For Brown, the fight against Della Maddalena is “not a safer fight in any way at all.”
Finally, Brown considered legacy as a key factor behind Makhachev`s decision to vacate the lightweight title for a welterweight pursuit. Makhachev already holds the record for the most lightweight title defenses in UFC history with four, surpassing his coach Khabib Nurmagomedov`s three defenses. Securing a second divisional title would place him in an exclusive group of fighters, but the opportunity to defend that second belt could be even more impactful for his historical standing.
Brown views Makhachev`s potential success in the welterweight division as “epic.” He suggested that a win against Della Maddalena would significantly strengthen the argument that Makhachev has surpassed Khabib`s accomplishments. Brown speculated that if Makhachev were to defend a second title multiple times, potentially against the formidable contenders in that division, it would forge a “fascinating vision for Islam,” solidifying his claim as one of the greatest fighters ever, beyond just his achievements in the lightweight division.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely