The much-anticipated fight between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena does not yet have an official date but is expected to occur either in November at Madison Square Garden or in December in Las Vegas. As anticipation builds, the Jack Della Maddalena fight prediction centers on whether the welterweight champion can withstand Makhachev’s grappling and takedown prowess.

MMA fans remain divided, with some confident that Della Maddalena’s striking and defensive takedown skills will give him the edge, while others believe Makhachev’s grappling will ultimately overpower the challenger. Israel Adesanya recently shared his thoughts on the fight in a YouTube video with Alexander Volkanovski, siding with Della Maddalena and suggesting Makhachev will face difficulties keeping control during scrambles.

Ben Vickers (JDM’s coach) said he’s gonna knock him out and I believe him. I honestly believe him. Because I just think he’s (Makhachev) not gonna be able to handle him with scrambles or when he gets back up. … His scrambles are crazy, and I feel Islam will feel like he bit off more than he can chew once he gets in there with him. … I really think he’s is gonna get him, and I can’t wait till that happens. And wherever it is, I’m gonna be there.

—Israel Adesanya, UFC Fighter

Adesanya’s prediction highlights the importance of grappling exchanges and indicates a potential vulnerability for Makhachev when facing Della Maddalena’s aggressive and reactive style. This clash between wrestling and striking skills is already shaping up to be a defining matchup in the welterweight division.

Alexander Volkanovski’s Perspective on the Matchup

Alexander Volkanovski, a close colleague of both fighters, added insight into the dynamics likely to play out in the fight. He emphasized that Islam Makhachev will probably try to use his superior grappling and takedown threat to open opportunities for striking. However, Volkanovski pointed out Della Maddalena’s ability to defend takedowns while continuing to fight effectively on the feet.

What I love about Jack Della and what he did with Belal is, you get people that are worried about the takedown so they don’t fight their fight on the feet. He’s, ‘I’m going to fight my fight and worry about the takedown when it’s there. And that’s perfect, you need to be like that.

—Alexander Volkanovski, UFC Champion

Volkanovski noted that in his own bout with Makhachev, once he realized he could compete on the ground, he stopped anticipating takedowns prematurely and fought on his terms. This approach of reacting rather than preempting takedown attempts could be key for Della Maddalena’s fight plan.

Dustin Poirier Highlights Importance of Early Rounds

Before his recent retirement in New Orleans, Dustin Poirier shared his analysis of the upcoming fight during an interview with MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn. Poirier stressed that the first two rounds would be critical in determining whether Makhachev could impose his grappling or if Della Maddalena could maintain the fight standing.

He explained that Makhachev’s takedown threats often limit an opponent’s ability to strike freely, making it difficult to string together powerful combinations. Therefore, Poirier’s view centers on how effectively Della Maddalena can neutralize those takedowns to keep the fight on the feet.

I think we’ll find out in the first or second round how much trouble he has getting [Della Maddalena] down. I think if he gets those takedowns, he’s going to get the win. If Jack can stop those takedowns, he does have good takedown defense. … I think the boxing and the size could wear on Islam and give him some problems. But Islam’s striking is awkward and different. You have to worry so much about the takedown.

—Dustin Poirier, Former UFC Fighter

With a win in this fight, Makhachev is expected to solidify his position atop the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, adding further weight to the stakes. Meanwhile, Della Maddalena’s strong takedown defense and striking pose a serious test to Makhachev’s grappling dominance.

Anticipating the Outcome and Broader Impact

The clash between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena represents a significant battle between grappling mastery and resilient striking defense. Predictions, including those from Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski, highlight their belief in Della Maddalena’s capability to disrupt Makhachev’s grappling control, while others like Dustin Poirier emphasize the fight’s early moments as decisive for either competitor’s strategy.

This matchup is closely watched for its implications on the UFC welterweight landscape and could shake up pound-for-pound rankings depending on the outcome. Fans and analysts alike remain on edge, awaiting confirmation of the event’s date and location, while speculation continues about who will ultimately dominate inside the octagon.