MASTER CHEV

Islam happy teaching his welter rivals harsh lesson

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THE welterweight division can be rebranded the 'wowterweight division' as challengers fell and rose and a new champion was crowned at UFC 322.

Islam Makhachev is the new king of the 170lb ranks as he dominated Jack Della Maddalena over five rounds at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Makhachev, who won his 16th fight in a row, tying the company record, became the UFC's 11th two-division champ, having relinquished his lightweight title in June to prepare for this new challenge.

The Dagestan destroyer said: "I feel so happy. It's the biggest day in my life to be crowned a double world champion at Madison Square Garden. As I told you all fight week, this is my dream.

"I feel better (at welterweight). I feel more powerful, more confident when I am striking, when I move. I feel I can control anyone on the ground and I've never felt like that.