Della Maddalena's Coach Attributes UFC 322 Loss to Execution, Not Strategy, Against Makhachev.

Jack Della Maddalena experienced a significant setback at UFC 322 on Saturday, October 26, 2024, suffering a comprehensive defeat in the main event against reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. The highly anticipated welterweight clash, held in New York City, saw Della Maddalena dominated for the full 25 minutes, ending his impressive seven-fight undefeated streak within the UFC. In the aftermath, his coach, Ben Vickers of Scrappy MMA, has been forthright in addressing the performance, emphasizing disappointment and a critical need for improvement, while staunchly defending the team’s strategic approach.

Following the event, Vickers initially released a statement expressing profound disappointment, a sentiment he reiterated days later during an interview with Submission Radio. "We’re not happy with the performance, let’s put that out there," Vickers stated. "I feel like Jack could have done better. I feel like, for once in his life, maybe Jack didn’t have his best performance and put his best foot forward when it mattered, which he’s always done throughout his whole career." He further elaborated on the gravity of an "off night" in professional mixed martial arts. "So, for the fact that on his bad night, when you have an off night in this sport, it’s very humiliating, and on his worst night — I don’t even want to go into it. I don’t want to sound like we count a victory, not getting stopped. We lost. We were comprehensively beaten, and we need to do better." This candid assessment underscores the high standards the team holds, acknowledging the superiority of Makhachev’s performance without seeking to diminish the impact of the loss.

The one-sided nature of the bout, which saw Makhachev control Della Maddalena for an estimated 19 minutes on the ground out of 25, drew significant commentary from various mixed martial arts personalities. Figures such as Chael Sonnen, Ilia Topuria, and Matt Brown voiced criticisms directed at both Della Maddalena’s in-cage performance and, in some instances, Vickers’ coaching during the fight. Vickers, however, aligns with the assessment that their execution fell short, rather than the strategic blueprint itself.

"The game plan was movement, but I feel like we never got the movement going," Vickers explained. "We had sort of routes to the feet, on the floor, but for whatever reason, we couldn’t start executing and getting to the first point of those routes. Islam did such a good job." Vickers refrained from detailing the specifics of their strategy, citing its potential future utility. "And I don’t want to go too much into the game plan, because it’s a game plan we will use again. I don’t think there was an issue with the game plan, just the execution."

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The coach confirmed that avoiding prolonged ground exchanges was a primary objective, a goal that proved unattainable against the grappling prowess of Makhachev. "Definitely more movement. Obviously, we didn’t want to be on the ground for 19 minutes of a 25-minute fight. We wanted to do some damage, wanted to do death by a thousand cuts, just pick away from the outside. It just wasn’t our night." Prior to this contest, Jack Della Maddalena (16-2 professional record, 7-0 UFC) had built considerable momentum in the welterweight division, known for his striking acumen and finishing abilities. This defeat marks his first loss under the UFC banner, a significant dent in his ascent. Islam Makhachev (26-1 professional record, 15-1 UFC), the reigning Lightweight Champion, further cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s most dominant figures with this performance, demonstrating his ability to compete and control at a higher weight class.

The loss places "JDM" in a more challenging position within the competitive welterweight landscape. While previously on the cusp of title contention, a dominant defeat to the current lightweight champion, albeit in a non-title welterweight bout, likely pushes him further down the pecking order for an immediate shot at the welterweight strap. Despite the outcome, Vickers maintains unwavering confidence in his fighter’s potential.

"We had a good camp, I’m not going to lie," Vickers affirmed, dismissing any excuses for the preparation. "I’m not going to make any excuses. We had a good camp, and his last session, his fight simulation session, was great, and we were excited and positive coming into the fight. It’s just tough sometimes with the bright lights and all that to execute. And unfortunately, our issue on the night was execution of a game plan that we put together. And we couldn’t do that."

Looking ahead, Vickers expressed a resolute belief in Della Maddalena’s capacity for redemption. "But I still firmly believe… Jack can beat Islam Makhachev. And I believe Jack will beat a couple more welterweights, and whoever’s got the strap, we’re looking for it. We climbed the mountain once from our little shed in Western Australia, and we’re prepared to do it again." This statement highlights the team’s long-term aspirations and their commitment to rebuilding towards championship contention.

Other Noteworthy Developments

In related news, Jack Della Maddalena himself has released a statement addressing his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, offering his perspective on the difficult night. Elsewhere in the sport, tensions continue to simmer as Dan Hooker provided an explanation for his pronounced dislike of Arman Tsarukyan, notably labeling him a "mouthy little rich pr*ck," adding another layer to the rivalries in the lightweight division.

Kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven announced his decision to vacate the GLORY heavyweight title after a remarkable 12-year reign as champion. While stepping away from his long-held title, Verhoeven has clarified that he is not declaring retirement from the sport entirely, leaving the door open for future endeavors. On short notice, Waldo Cortes-Acosta has stepped in with just three days’ notice to save a heavyweight bout at UFC Qatar, demonstrating the readiness and depth of the UFC roster.

In the ongoing debate over pound-for-pound supremacy in women’s mixed martial arts, Valentina Shevchenko has solidified her position as the No. 1 contender. Discussions are now intensifying as to whether her consistent dominance and impressive record officially qualify her as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in women’s MMA. A recent mailbag segment specifically analyzed how Islam Makhachev effectively countered every aspect of Jack Della Maddalena’s game at UFC 322, dissecting the tactical masterclass displayed by the lightweight champion.

Digital Content Highlights

Recent noteworthy video content includes a detailed "Between the Links" segment offering analysis and discussion on recent MMA events. A comprehensive interview with Dan Hooker provided further insights into his opinions and upcoming plans. The UFC 322 "Fight Motion" video offered a slow-motion, high-definition recap of the night’s most impactful moments. Additionally, features on the UFC Qatar main event fighters provided a closer look at the combatants headlining the upcoming card, and Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo offered their expert breakdown and predictions for UFC Qatar.

Social Media Buzz

Social media platforms have been abuzz with various MMA-related interactions. Khamzat Chimaev notably flew out to support Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar, showcasing solidarity among fighters. Arman Tsarukyan’s social media activity suggested a keen understanding of "ball" (likely referring to tactical acumen in sports), contrasting with Dan Hooker’s self-deprecating remarks about his own less impressive grasp of such concepts. A poignant social media post highlighted the reality for some fighters, with one individual securing the biggest win of his career only to return to a construction job, underscoring the financial challenges prevalent in certain segments of the sport. Further posts featured insights from Kamaru Usman and light-hearted trolling from Arnold Allen aimed at fans, while Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov also garnered attention with his online presence.

Upcoming Bouts

Several significant fight announcements have been made, shaping the landscape of upcoming events. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (15-2) is set to face Shamil Gaziev (14-1) at UFC Qatar on November 22, a last-minute addition that promises heavyweight action. In the PFL, undefeated Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0) is slated to defend his title against Alfie Davis (20-5-1) on February 7, a highly anticipated clash in the burgeoning promotion.

This weekend’s slate of mixed martial arts action promises to deliver, with daytime MMA offerings providing a welcome schedule for fans globally. The UFC Qatar card, in particular, is shaping up to be a very solid event, ensuring a rich period for enthusiasts of the sport.