'Don't know if anybody beats' Jack Della Maddalena - Michael Bisping issues warning to Islam Makhachev after Australian emerges victorious at UFC 315

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Michael Bisping has heaped praise on Jack Della Maddalena after he beat Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC 315 to become the welterweight champion. The 28-year-old delivered a "smooth" and "composed" performance, according to Bisping, who is unsure whether anyone can beat the Australian "anytime soon", despite the fact he is now expected to take on lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

‘Don’t know if anyone beats him anytime soon’ – Bisping on ever-improving Della Maddalena

Video credit: TNT Sports

Michael Bisping has questioned whether anyone beats Jack Della Maddalena "anytime soon" after the Australian defeated Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC 315.

The 28-year-old, who had not fought in over a year, became the welterweight champion, taking the belt from Muhammad in his first title defence.

Della Maddalena landed 200 blows during the bout in Montreal, as his opponent was beaten for the first time since January 2019, and Bisping was impressed by his "smooth" and "composed" display.

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Speaking on the Review Show on TNT Sports, the former UFC champion said: "They always say: ‘You can’t just beat a champ by a close decision, you’ve got to take the belt.’ That’s the way that Jack fought.

"There was a takedown attempt, they were engaged in a clinch. [Della Maddalena] threw him off and then immediately went to work, wasted no time whatsoever.

"You mentioned the chin on Belal Muhammad, the man had a broken nose, a fractured orbital, his lip was split disgustingly, and he still pushed forward. There was no quitting Belal Muhammad, but he was clearly getting beaten.

"Jack was just so smooth, so composed, so loose in there in such a high-pressure situation."

Highlights: Della Maddalena stuns Muhammad to take welterweight title

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bisping added: "You compare that Jack Della Maddalena - the one that fought Gilbert Burns - with this one here now, a year later, still only 28 years old, still improving every single time we see him.

"You say this belt might be a hot potato, the welterweight division is definitely heating up. That version of Jack Della Maddalena - I don't know if anybody beats him anytime soon."

Following Della Maddalena’s victory, which saw him become just the third Australian in history to hold a UFC title, it is rumoured that his next bout will be against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Had Muhammad retained his welterweight belt, the expectation was that his close friend Makhachev would defend his lightweight belt against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.

However, following the American’s defeat, Makhachev is now expected to move up to the welterweight division to take on Della Maddalena in a bid to become a double champion.

Bisping believes this could be a "great" match-up, but suggests that Della Maddalena will be well prepared for the fight after facing Muhammad, given Makhachev has trained with the American in recent years.

Discussing the potential of this fight, Bisping said: "Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena - that is some fight. It’s great, it’s awesome. But I tell you what, don’t bet your house on Islam Makhachev getting the job done.

"Because if I’m Jack Della Maddalena, what do I want as the perfect warm-up fight? Do I want someone that trains with Islam, that kind of even looks like Islam, that has the same style as Islam, that’s bigger than Islam, that maybe has better cardio, that’s stronger than I’ve just beaten and picked apart?"

Bisping and Peet fire warning to Makhachev about going up in weight to face Della Maddalena

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bisping added: "[Della Maddalena’s] got better boxing, he stopped all of Belal’s take-downs, he picked him apart all day long. When he was taken down, he got back to his feet.

"I’m not saying he's going to smoke Islam Makhachev, I’m just saying if you're Islam Makhachev, you better up your game, buddy, because that's not a given for anybody."

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