Ali Akbar Rosady
Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion, finds himself in an unfamiliar position as the perceived underdog heading into his main event clash against lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. Scheduled for Saturday’s pay-per-view in New York City, the bout sees Makhachev, widely regarded as the sport’s pound-for-pound king, challenging for a second divisional crown, a pursuit that has largely overshadowed the incumbent champion’s own formidable credentials.
The narrative surrounding UFC 322 has heavily leaned on Makhachev’s quest for historical significance. His ascent to lightweight dominance, culminating in a record number of title defenses in the division—surpassing esteemed names like Khabib Nurmagomedov, B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar, and Benson Henderson—has set the stage for a potential entry into the sport’s greatest of all time (GOAT) conversation. This formidable reputation, however, has cast a long shadow over Della Maddalena, leading to widespread speculation about his chances.
"I’ve got everything to prove. But I like it that way," Della Maddalena stated in an interview with MMA Fighting, addressing the prevailing sentiment. "It gives me more motivation. A lot of drive to prove I’m the champion and then solidify my spot as the top guy. I’m definitely the underdog. I feel like a little bit I’m being written off. Come fight night, and after the fight, I think there’s going to be a lot of different opinions on it."
The perceived lack of respect for Della Maddalena is multifaceted. Despite holding the welterweight belt, his reign is relatively nascent compared to Makhachev’s established dominance. His victory over Belal Muhammad, while convincing, was against an opponent whose style and public persona often overshadowed his in-cage talent, leading some to downplay the significance of the win. Muhammad, known for his grinding, wrestling-heavy approach, tested Della Maddalena’s grappling defense, but the champion ultimately emerged victorious, landing significant strikes throughout the bout. In contrast, Makhachev’s record includes a string of decisive victories, most recently a submission win over elite striker Dustin Poirier.
Related News :
- Arman Tsarukyan Eyes Immediate Lightweight Title Shot Against Ilia Topuria Following Pivotal UFC Qatar Bout
- Mayra Bueno Silva Recounts Unorthodox Weight Cut in Saudi Arabia Ahead of Bantamweight Return
- UFC Veteran Darren Till Lambasts Ian Machado Garry’s Character After Chimaev Backstage Incident
- UFC 321 fight card: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista among can’t miss fights
- Belal Muhammad Faces Uphill Battle Following Second Consecutive Defeat to Ian Machado Garry at UFC Qatar.
Makhachev’s fighting style, characterized by smothering Dagestani grappling, presents a unique challenge for any opponent, particularly strikers. While Della Maddalena is a natural welterweight, the size advantage might not be as pronounced as one might expect. Della Maddalena himself has acknowledged that the 15-pound jump for Makhachev does not guarantee a significant physical disparity. The primary challenge lies not in raw power, but in Makhachev’s ability to control opponents on the mat.
Observations from their most recent title defenses offer insights into the stylistic clash. Makhachev’s methodical dismantling of Poirier showcased his relentless pressure and submission prowess. Della Maddalena, conversely, demonstrated improved takedown defense and an ability to quickly scramble back to his feet against Muhammad, a noted collegiate wrestler. Dustin Poirier, having firsthand experience with Makhachev’s grappling, highlighted the critical factor for Della Maddalena. "It’s all going to come down to the takedown defense of JDM," Poirier told MMA Fighting. "If he can get back up to his feet, if he can use the fence, or stay off the fence, use his boxing, I think he definitely could give Islam a lot of troubles in the center of the octagon. He’s a great striker. He’s big and powerful."
A significant factor in Della Maddalena’s preparation has been the involvement of Craig Jones, a two-time ADCC silver medalist and highly respected figure in modern Jiu-Jitsu. Jones’s influence on Della Maddalena’s grappling evolution is seen by many as a potential game-changer against Makhachev’s relentless pressure. American Top Team coach Din Thomas and welterweight contender Sean Brady have both publicly backed Della Maddalena for the upset, specifically citing Jones’s impact.
"He’s a breath of fresh air, and I’m with Brady on this one. I’m picking him to beat Islam," Thomas stated to MMA Junkie. "I think that Craig Jones is the answer in this… I think the answer lies within Craig Jones’ approach of blending in a jiu-jitsu style that these guys aren’t familiar with. We’ve seen it when Alexander Volkanovski fought Islam, and we’ve seen it when Jack fought Belal." Della Maddalena successfully stuffed six of Muhammad’s nine takedown attempts, a statistic that, while notable, does not fully encapsulate the improvements. Thomas elaborates that Jones’s imprint lies in Della Maddalena’s enhanced comfort and proficiency in transitional grappling, making him exceptionally difficult to keep grounded.
"I think Jack’s going to be very difficult to take down and hold down. He might be taken down, but I think he’s going to be very difficult to hold down if he gets taken down," Thomas added. "I think on the feet, he’s so precise. I think he loses the first two rounds possibly, but I think he comes back and does damage later in the fight."
Della Maddalena’s striking output was evident in his bout against Muhammad at UFC 315, where he landed approximately 200 significant strikes over 25 minutes, ultimately bloodying his opponent. His longtime coach, Ben Vickers, has expressed confidence in employing a similar strategy against Makhachev, believing that sustained pressure and damage on the feet could expose vulnerabilities that Makhachev has rarely faced.
"I think Jack will knock him out," Vickers asserted during an interview with Submission Radio. "He’s not used to taking damage. He’s not used to being in tough fights with someone pushing the pace, and he’s been knocked out before." This bold prediction draws parallels to Dustin Poirier’s ability to trouble Makhachev on the feet in moments, suggesting that a sharper, fresher striker like Della Maddalena could find similar success.
Current oddsmakers position Makhachev as nearly a three-to-one favorite, reflecting the prevailing sentiment among fans and bettors that this fight is Makhachev’s coronation in a second division. In contrast, a hypothetical fight between Makhachev and current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is considered a pick’em, underscoring the perceived challenge Della Maddalena presents, despite the betting lines.
However, those closest to Makhachev have expressed a more cautious outlook. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s mentor and former coach, offered a surprising assessment of Della Maddalena’s threat. "I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam’s career," Nurmagomedov told Adam Zubayraev in a Russian-translated interview. "That’s my opinion, not Charles [Oliveira], no one else. None of those other fighters. Not even Ilia, if that fight were to happen. Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia. Taller, bigger, stronger legs, bigger frame. His boxing is just as good. And, in grappling, he scrambles really well if you’ve watched him. For me, if I were preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I’d be more concerned about Maddalena."
Makhachev’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez of American Kickboxing Academy, has also acknowledged the unique challenge posed by Della Maddalena. Mendez admitted to reviewing Della Maddalena’s fight tape more extensively than any previous opponent, a rare statement from one of MMA’s most experienced strategists. "Jack is such a tough customer that if we overlook him, which we haven’t. I’ve actually viewed Jack’s fight with Belal five times," Mendez told MMA Junkie. "I’ve never really done that. That’s how much I respect Jack."
Makhachev himself has echoed his team’s respect for the upcoming challenge. His training camp has reportedly been tailored to address Della Maddalena’s strengths, with preparations spanning across Russia, Dubai, and New Jersey to secure optimal sparring partners and simulate Della Maddalena’s physicality and skill set.
"It’s going to be a hard fight, honestly," Makhachev stated to MMA Junkie. "I saw his fight against Belal. He’s good, man. When he began fighting in the UFC, he had problems with wrestling, but now he’s improved because I’ve seen him training a lot with wrestlers and grapplers, and that’s why he’s champion right now. He’s good everywhere. But we will see who’s the best fighter in the world very soon."
The welterweight title bout at UFC 322 represents a pivotal moment for both athletes. For Della Maddalena, it is an opportunity to silence doubters and solidify his reign against one of the sport’s most dominant figures. For Makhachev, it is a chance to etch his name further into the annals of MMA history by achieving rare double-champion status. The contest promises a clash of styles and narratives that will define legacies.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMADecember 19, 2025Sean Strickland Engages in High-Profile Unsanctioned Sparring with Three Social Media Personalities Ahead of Crucial UFC Bout- MMADecember 19, 2025UFC 322: Welterweight Champion Della Maddalena Faces Ultimate Test Against Lightweight King Makhachev in New York Showdown
MMADecember 19, 2025High-Stakes Boxing Showdown: Jake Paul Challenges Anthony Joshua in Miami Spectacle
MMADecember 18, 2025UFC Prepares for Landmark Shift: Final 2025 Event Kicks Off New Broadcast Era with Paramount+
rifan muazin
Jonas Leo
