The highly anticipated UFC fight between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena is rapidly becoming a centerpiece matchup as Makhachev moves up to welterweight. Known for dominating at lightweight with his mixture of boxing, wrestling, and physical strength, Makhachev faces a notable challenge stepping up 15 pounds against the emerging Jack Della Maddalena, a fighter praised by Israel Adesanya for his potential to cause an upset.
Adesanya Confident in Della Maddalena’s Ability to Overcome Makhachev
Israel Adesanya, teammate to Jack Della Maddalena at City Kickboxing, expressed his belief in Maddalena’s chances during a conversation with Alexander Volkanovski on YouTube. Adesanya pointed to Maddalena’s composure and tactical approach as keys to handling Makhachev’s wrestling dominance.
I don’t think he’s [Islam] going to be able to handle him [Maddalena] in the scrambles or when he gets back up,
Adesanya said.
Della’s just so stoic, and he just focuses on his own game. And when he does that, I really think he’s gonna get him.
—Israel Adesanya, UFC Fighter
Makhachev has been nearly unstoppable in his career, with his only loss dating back to 2015 when Adriano Martins knocked him out with precise counter-punching. Fighters like Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier have demonstrated that Makhachev can be challenged by recovering well from takedowns and using strong striking, tactics Maddalena employed to win the welterweight title against Belal Muhammad.
Context and Challenges Ahead for the Fighters
Makhachev’s shift to the 170-pound division presents new hurdles due to the added size and strength of opponents, while Della Maddalena’s quiet confidence and technical skill make him a serious contender. This fight will not only test Makhachev’s ability to adapt but also give Maddalena a platform to prove his championship credentials on a global stage.
Fans and analysts eagerly await this matchup, considering the potential impact a victory for Maddalena could have on the welterweight division and UFC rankings overall.
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