Makhachev also sent a direct message to the new champion after Della Maddalena addressed him in the cage after he welcomed the fight while adding that he wanted to get revenge for his friend Alexander Volkanovski. Of course, Volkanovski fought and lost to Makhachev twice, which included their second encounter where the Russian scored a vicious head kick knockout. “You are not Volk,” Makhachev said to Della Maddalena. “I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean.”