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Where We Stand: Welterweight Division | May 2025
Australia Has A New Champion In Jack Della Maddalena, But The Pound-For-Pound King Has Double-Champ Status In His Sights
There isn’t a championship picture more crowded and intriguing than that of the welterweight division. The championship carousel continued its gradual spin at UFC 315 as Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena unseated Belal Muhammad in a thrilling five-round effort in Montreal.
Despite the myriad contenders at 170 pounds, Della Maddalena’s first defense could very well be the current lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, but if that fight doesn’t come to fruition, options are aplenty.
This is where we stand in the welterweight division:
Champion: Jack Della Maddalena
Last Fight: Unanimous Decision Win vs Belal Muhammad (5/10/2025)
Next fight: N/A
Outlook: Australia bagged its second UFC title of 2025 as Della Maddalena put together a stellar effort to dethrone Muhammad in Montreal. The 28-year-old showed off crafty defensive grappling, as well as beautiful striking, over the course of 25 minutes, impressing many along the way. He was immediately asked about a champ-vs-champ fight against Makhachev and didn’t blink, saying he wanted to exact some revenge in honor of Alexander Volkanovski. Considering his performance against the grappling-inclined Muhammad, the stylistic clash against Makhachev is a fascinating one.
1) Belal Muhammad
Last Fight: Unanimous Decision Loss vs Jack Della Maddalena (5/10/2025)
Next fight: N/A
Outlook: “Remember the Name” was calm, cool and collected ahead of his first title defense, but he wasn’t ever able to impose his will on Della Maddalena the same way he did on his 11-fight unbeaten streak. Muhammad was able to hang with Della Maddalena on the feet, although the Australian was more impactful, and he wasn’t able to keep Della Maddalena down on the mat, either. The 36-year-old now drops back into the shark pit that is the title picture. As he looks to regain his title, he could fight any of the rising contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Machado Garry or the winner between Joaquin Buckley and Kamaru Usman.
2) Sean Brady
Last Fight: Submission Win vs Leon Edwards (3/22/2025)
Next fight: N/A
Sean Brady Post-Fight Interview | UFC London
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Sean Brady Post-Fight Interview | UFC London
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Outlook: Philadelphia’s Sean Brady was Octagonside in Montreal but seems on the outside looking in when it comes to a title shot. The general consensus seems to have him third in line behind Makhachev and Rakhmonov, but a No. 1 contender fight between he and Rakhmonov could be interesting if Makhachev does get lined up for the shot at Della Maddalena. He and Della Maddalena do have history — the pair was scheduled to fight in 2023 before Brady had to pull out of the matchup — but he’ll likely need some luck as far as timing if he is to get the next title shot.
3) Shavkat Rakhmonov
Last Fight: Unanimous Decision Win vs Ian Machado Garry (12/7/2024)
Next fight: N/A
Outlook: An injury kept Rakhmonov out of the action in Montreal, and it is unclear when he might get his long-awaited shot at the belt. He could wait, but that wait could extend longer than he’d want if Makhachev gets the first shot. As he is the leading welterweight contender in many people’s minds, waiting isn’t the worst option, but winning another fight to solidify his spot could be in play as well. Fights against the winner between Usman and Buckley or former champions Edwards or Muhammad could also make sense.
4) Leon Edwards
Last Fight: Submission Loss vs Sean Brady (3/22/2025)
Next fight: N/A
Day Off | Leon Edwards
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Day Off | Leon Edwards
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Outlook: “Rocky” disappointed many with his performance in London against Brady. The former welterweight champion looked a step behind the American, and his wayward takedown attempt late in the fight caused many to scratch their heads. However, Edwards remains one of the best fighters skill-for-skill in the division, even after two losses on the bounce. Fights against Buckley (if he gets past Usman), Machado Garry or someone else rising in the division could make sense as he tries to build his case back to contention.
5) Kamaru Usman
Last Fight: Majority Decision Loss vs Khamzat Chimaev (10/21/2023)
Next fight: vs Joaquin Buckley (6/14/2025)
Outlook: Nearly two years since his last fight, Usman makes his return to competition opposite the red-hot Buckley in Atlanta. Many questions are buzzing around the former welterweight king. The main one is: can he, at 38 years old, make another run at the title? After a slow start against Khamzat Chimaev, Usman pushed well in the final round on short notice. If his hunger remains, Usman could have a major, statement-making performance in June against the ever-dangerous Buckley.
In the Mix: Islam Makhachev, Ian Machado Garry, Joaquin Buckley
Outlook: Makhachev’s name was on the tip of everyone’s tongue following Della Maddalena’s win over Muhammad. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Makhachev’s future on Instagram Live on Tuesday, saying the lightweight champion will be vacating his title to move up and face Della Maddalena at a later date.
Two surging welterweights who seem a win or two away from a title fight are Ian Machado Garry and Joaquin Buckley. Machado Garry weighed in as the backup fighter in Montreal less than a month since handing Carlos Prates his first UFC defeat. It was a good bounce-back effort from the Irishman after losing a five-round bout to Rakhmonov late in 2024. However, one could argue no fighter at 170 pounds is hotter than Buckley. The St. Louis native strung together four wins (including three finishes) in 2024, and his main event win over Colby Covington showed he is very much ready for primetime. That opportunity comes in June against Usman, and if he can take out the former king, he has as good a case for a title shot as anyone in the top 5.
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