UFC 322: Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena Prepares for Historic Clash Against Lightweight King Islam Makhachev in New York

New York City is poised to host UFC 322, an event headlined by a monumental cross-divisional contest where reigning welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena prepares to defend his title against the formidable lightweight king and pound-for-pound elite, Islam Makhachev. Despite holding the welterweight championship, Della Maddalena enters Saturday’s pay-per-view main event as the discernible underdog, a rare position for a defending titleholder. Makhachev, widely regarded as the sport’s top active fighter, seeks to etch his name into history by capturing a second divisional crown, an achievement that would firmly place him in the conversation for the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.

The narrative surrounding UFC 322 largely centers on Makhachev’s pursuit of a dual-championship legacy. The Dagestani phenom has already established himself as a dominant force in the lightweight division, setting a record for consecutive title defenses that surpassed legends such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar, and Benson Henderson. His relentless pressure and suffocating grappling have proven insurmountable for a host of elite contenders, culminating in his recent victory over Dustin Poirier. This remarkable run has positioned him as the undisputed pound-for-pound king and fuels the anticipation around his move up to welterweight.

However, the considerable shadow cast by Makhachev’s accolades has, by Della Maddalena’s own admission, contributed to a perceived underestimation of his capabilities as a welterweight champion. "I’ve got everything to prove. But I like it that way," Della Maddalena stated in an interview with MMA Fighting. "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 perception of Della Maddalena as an untested champion, despite his convincing win over Belal Muhammad, contributes to the current betting lines, which list Makhachev as nearly a three-to-one favorite. This contrasts sharply with hypothetical matchups for Della Maddalena, such as against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, which are considered pick’em fights. While Muhammad is a highly skilled and durable wrestler, his grinding style and polarizing public persona may have obscured the significance of Della Maddalena’s victory in the eyes of some observers.

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The stylistic clash is stark: Makhachev’s renowned smothering grappling, a hallmark of the Dagestani fighting style, against Della Maddalena’s sharp, precise striking. Makhachev’s ability to control opponents on the mat has historically been a nightmare for strikers, neutralizing their offensive output and grinding them down. Della Maddalena concedes that he will not possess a significant size advantage, despite Makhachev moving up 15 pounds, emphasizing that the primary challenge will be control rather than raw power.

Insights from their most recent title defenses offer a glimpse into their respective strengths. Makhachev’s submission victory over elite striker Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 showcased his ability to navigate striking exchanges before securing a dominant finish. Della Maddalena, meanwhile, delivered a comprehensive performance against dogged wrestler Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, where he stuffed six of Muhammad’s nine takedown attempts and landed 200 significant strikes over 25 minutes, ultimately outclassing his opponent.

Dustin Poirier, having firsthand experience against Makhachev, 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, yet potentially overlooked, element in Della Maddalena’s preparation is the involvement of Craig Jones, a two-time ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) silver medalist and one of the most innovative minds in modern Jiu-Jitsu. Jones’s influence is believed to be redefining Della Maddalena’s approach to grappling and how he handles pressure, particularly in transitional grappling situations. This strategic partnership has led several prominent figures in MMA to pick Della Maddalena for the upset, including American Top Team coach Din Thomas and welterweight contender Sean Brady.

"He’s a breath of fresh air, and I’m with Brady on this one. I’m picking him to beat Islam," Thomas told 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." Thomas further elaborated that while Della Maddalena might be taken down, his evolution under Jones would make him "very difficult to hold down." Thomas predicts Della Maddalena might concede the first two rounds but would "come back and do damage later in the fight" due to his precise striking.

Della Maddalena’s longtime coach, Ben Vickers, has articulated a bold strategy centered on sustained pressure and exploiting what he perceives as a weakness in Makhachev’s game. "I think Jack will knock him out," Vickers declared on 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 assessment is supported by the fact that even Poirier, in the later stages of his career, managed to trouble Makhachev on the feet before being submitted. Della Maddalena, a younger, sharper striker, could potentially find similar or greater success in striking exchanges if he can maintain distance and defend takedowns.

The respect for Della Maddalena’s skillset extends even to Makhachev’s inner circle. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s mentor and former coach, offered a candid assessment, stating, "I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam’s career. 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." This statement from a figure synonymous with Dagestani grappling dominance underscores the gravity of the challenge Della Maddalena presents.

Makhachev’s longtime head coach, Javier Mendez, echoed this sentiment, revealing the unprecedented depth of his preparation. "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."

Islam Makhachev himself acknowledges the formidable test ahead. His training camp has been meticulously tailored to Della Maddalena’s strengths, with time split between Russia, Dubai, and New Jersey to secure optimal sparring partners and body types. "It’s going to be a hard fight, honestly," Makhachev admitted 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."

As UFC 322 draws near, the anticipation for this champion-versus-champion bout continues to build. While many anticipate Makhachev’s coronation in a second division, the collective respect from both camps, particularly the high regard for Della Maddalena’s evolved grappling and striking, suggests that the welterweight champion is far from being a mere stepping stone. The keys to victory for Della Maddalena will undoubtedly hinge on his takedown defense, his ability to return to his feet, and his potent striking, all potentially enhanced by the strategic insights of Craig Jones. The outcome in New York will not only determine a divisional champion but could also redefine the legacies of two of the sport’s most compelling figures.