Veteran mixed martial arts coach Javier Mendez has aligned with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s view, identifying Jack Della Maddalena as the most challenging opponent Islam Makhachev has faced so far. This consensus comes amid Makhachev’s recent move from lightweight to welterweight, where he is expected to challenge the Australian for the title later this year.
Following the defeat of Belal Muhammad by Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May, Makhachev vacated his lightweight championship to step up to the 170-pound division. This strategic shift has set the stage for a high-stakes title fight between Makhachev and Della Maddalena, drawing significant attention within the MMA community.
Insight from Javier Mendez on Preparing Makhachev for Maddalena’s Challenge
In response to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s declaration about Maddalena’s toughness, Mendez expressed strong agreement. Speaking to MMA Junkie, he said,
“I’m going to have to one million percent agree with Khabib, I think this is our toughest test. This is my and Khabib’s biggest responsibility to make sure we get Islam in tip-top shape and ready to do what we think.”
Mendez highlighted Della Maddalena’s diverse striking ability and solid defensive wrestling as key reasons behind his threat. He explained,
“I think what makes JDM so dangerous is he’s unbeaten for quite a while. He’s had quite a long win streak, and the fact that this guy mixes it up extremely well. He goes to the body, to the head, and he doesn’t just stick to head hunting. He mixes it all up. He goes body, punch, then the kick comes. With him, his takedown defense is good also.”
Why Khabib Views Della Maddalena as a Greater Threat Than Ilia Topuria
Earlier this week, Khabib Nurmagomedov elaborated on why he considers Jack Della Maddalena a more dangerous adversary for Islam Makhachev than Ilia Topuria, despite Topuria’s notable victories against fighters such as Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.
Many expected Topuria to be the prime candidate capable of stopping Makhachev’s winning streak, but Khabib remains unconcerned about a matchup against the Georgian-Spanish fighter. He stated in an interview with Adam Zubayraev,
“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. That’s just my personal opinion.”
Khabib further compared the fighters’ physical attributes and skills, adding,
“First of all, 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 was preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I’d be more concerned about Maddalena.”
The Upcoming Title Fight and Its Implications for Makhachev’s Career
The anticipated matchup between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena represents a significant turning point for Makhachev, marking his entry into a higher weight class against an undefeated and well-rounded adversary. Both Khabib and Javier Mendez emphasize the need for meticulous preparation to ensure Makhachev can withstand Maddalena’s diverse striking and takedown defense.
This fight will not only test Makhachev’s adaptability but also influence his trajectory within the welterweight division. Should he prevail, it would solidify his status as a dominant force across multiple weight classes, while a loss could raise questions about the challenges of moving up in weight against opponents like Della Maddalena.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a professional mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the UFC’s Lightweight division and holds the title of UFC Lightweight Champion.