Australia’s freshly crowned world champion Jack Della Maddalena has thrown the UFC’s plans into disarray as matchmakers Dana White and Hunter Campbell look to set up the next wave of title fights.

Fifteen months out of the octagon was worth the wait for Della Maddalena, after the Aussie claimed welterweight gold against Belal Muhammad on Sunday.

A masterful display of striking and takedown defence proved to be the difference in the biggest fight of the 28-year-old’s career, but a new challenge awaits in holding champion status at the 170lb weight class.

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The next edition of the annual International Fight Week card due to be held on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas has yet to secure a headline fight.

Many fans suspect it would pit former lightweight champion Charles Oliveria and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria for either the interim or vacant lightweight strap.

Such a bout would delay a potential super fight between Topuria and current belt holder Islam Makhachev, who quickly returned serve after finding himself in Della Maddelena’s sights.

Calling out the Russian in his post-fight speech, the Australian is eager for the fight to take place in his hometown of Perth as part of the WA government’s deal with the UFC as he seeks to avenge countryman Alexander Volkanovski’s loss to Makhachev in 2023.

Makhachev responded by formally calling out Della Maddalena, telling him to “keep his belt clean” as he seeks to earn champ status of both divisions.

The 33-year-old has wanted to win both titles previously but it has never happened because of his relationship with Muhammad.

Having trained together across multiple fight camps, most notably in the build-up to Makhachev’s title defence at UFC 311, they have both gone on record many times talking about the respect they have for one another.

“No, I wouldn’t fight him (Makhachev),” Muhammad said.

“They’ve (Khabib Nurmagomedov and Makhachev) done so much for me, they’ve helped me so much that it wouldn’t be worth it to fight those guys.

“There’s too much respect and loyalty on my end.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former lightweight champion and Makhachev’s coach, has also echoed this same sentiment.

“My heart is not okay, it would be hard to prepare Islam to beat Belal,” he said.

So now with the path clear for Makhachev to chase the welterweight title and fans eagerly awaiting to see which match-ups are announced, it’s safe to say an unlikely Aussie champion has ruffled feathers and altered the future of the UFC.