The Answered challenge: Will Jack Della Maddalena be able to stop Makhachev

On the morning of November 16, the UFC 322 tournament will take place in New York, in the main event of which Islam Makhachev will fight with Australian Jack Della Maddalena. After four defenses of the 70 kg belt, the Russian champion will rise to welterweight, where he will immediately fight for the title. About the chances of 34-year-old Makhachev to go down in history, — in the Izvestia article.

A powerful arsenal

Makhachev's decision to test himself in the 77 kg division was an expected step after he cleared the top of the lightweight division with four successful title defenses. His return to the octagon after his dominant victory over Renato Moicano in June 2024 was the beginning of a new challenge. Now he has to face one of the most dangerous drummers of the promotion.

Although the victory over Moikano consolidated the Russian's legacy, his championship path initially ran through the strongest. He won the belt by confidently defeating Charles Oliveira, and then defended it twice in tough fights against Alex Volkanovsky. Makhachev also has victories over such top fighters as Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker.

Islam Makhachev and Renato Moikano stand face to face at the weigh-in ceremony at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles before the UFC311 fight, January 17

Photo: Global Look Press/IMAGO/Louis Grasse /SPP

The statistics speak for themselves: Makhachev scored seven of his last eight wins ahead of schedule, while demonstrating an arsenal of various techniques. The opponents surrendered after his "guillotine", "hand triangle" and rear choke in each of the five rounds.

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Both can get championship fights if successful.

In the other corner, Makhachev will be met by a dangerous Australian who has not been defeated since 2016. Jack Della Maddalena is on an unprecedented streak of 18 consecutive wins. His rise to the top of the rankings was quite fast. In March 2024, he scored an impressive victory over veteran Gilbert Burns, and in the spring of the following year he took the belt in a duel with Belal Muhammad.

Jack Della Maddalena after his victory over Belal Muhammad in a fight for the welterweight Mixed martial arts title at UFC 315, May 11

Photo: Global Look Press/Graham Hughes

Despite difficult fights, the Australian always found a way to victory. His physical condition and performance experience in the welterweight division can be his main trump card against Makhachev, who is used to dealing with fighters whose size was often inferior to his own.

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Alexander approached the title fight, as did Umar Nurmagomedov, who had lunch with Bautista.

— Do I feel like a real welterweight? Yes, when I had a duel of looks with Jack, I realized that I was the same size," Islam Makhachev said at a press conference. — I don't think I'm small for a welterweight. I followed my training program well, gained weight, and now I'm ready. He's a strong opponent, but hopefully I won't need a second plan. Plan A will be fine. But if it doesn't work... We've been training very hard, anything can happen in a cage, but we're ready. To be honest, this is the hardest camp of my life. It started in three months and was the hardest.

— I will become only the 10th to become a double champion if I win the belt. It's important to me, it's a big fight. If we talk about skills, where would I put Jack Della Maddalena among those with whom I fought? In the top 3. He's one of the best because he's a champion. I saw him fight with Belal and other guys. His shot is very good, but I've seen him struggle, he doesn't know how to defend. If someone translates it, it doesn't surprise you.

An important milestone

The key confrontation in this fight will be a classic clash of styles. On the one hand, Makhachev's impeccable grappling, the level of which experts call unprecedented for this division. Although Jack is famous for his ability to avoid dangerous positions in the stalls, he has yet to face a wrestler of Makhachev's caliber.

Photo: Global Look Press/Graham Hughes

On the other hand, the crushing blows of the Australian. In seven fights in the UFC, he knocked down opponents six times. However, Makhachev's percussion technique does not stand still either.: His team is actively working on boxing and Thai boxing, involving world-class specialists in training.

"A new weight class is always difficult for any fighter," Taras Kiyashko, a well—known MMA and kickboxing coach, told Izvestia. — There are slightly different guys there. I want to believe in his skill and experience. Islam itself is not small, I want to believe that everything will work out. The opponent is very serious and has a good striking technique. Maddalena fights well too. There is nothing to say about Islam, he is good and strong in all aspects. Of course, I'm betting on Islam and I'll be rooting for him, but the fight won't be easy. I'll estimate the odds as 60 to 40 in favor of Makhachev. Everything will depend on the preparation. May we also have a champion in two weight categories.

Fighter Islam Makhachev at the weigh-in

Photo: TASS/IMAGO/Sports Press Photo

Makhachev's main sparring partner in preparation for Maddalena, Mukhamed Berkhamov, has a different opinion.

— To be honest, I don't think this is a very difficult opponent for Islam, as everyone here is rocking, — says Mukhamed Berkhamov. — I don't consider it that way for Islam, because it won't get up from under it. 100% won't get up. If he gets up once, he will lose all his strength and will not get up for sure the second time. Gilbert didn't try to finish the fight, for example. And Islam will not miss such a chance if he catches his neck elementary or if [Maddalena] gets caught at his favorite trick. These things will not go unpunished, especially when trying to get up. Is Islam able to give him competition in the rack? If you stand up and the task is just to cut with him, of course, he will be able to. But there is no such task. I think Islam knows that this should not be allowed or risked. Because after all, he's moved up in weight, and you just have to win the fight. It is not necessary to show who is better in the rack.

For Islam Makhachev, this fight is not just a chase for a second belt. It's a risky move that will define his entire future career. Victory will return him to the top of the ranking of the best fighters regardless of weight class and will open the way for him to more high-profile confrontations. A defeat could set him far back in a competitive lightweight race.