UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena has promised to shock fans — and Islam Makhachev — when they clash at UFC 322 in New York on November 15.
The Australian, known for his crisp boxing, captured the 170-pound title with a surprise win over Belal Muhammad in May. Now, he faces his toughest test yet as Makhachev — the former lightweight king — moves up in pursuit of a second belt.
Many expect Makhachev’s elite wrestling and grappling to dominate, but Della Maddalena insists he’s ready for that challenge. “In his mind, he’ll be thinking take me down, hold me down, and submit me,” he told Fox Sports Australia. “But in the grappling, I’ll be able to surprise him. The right techniques for his sort of A-game will throw him off. I believe we’ll spend a lot of this fight on the feet.”
The confident claim has divided fans online. While some praised the champion’s mindset, others predicted a harsh lesson from the Dagestani star. “JDM’s in for a rude awakening,” one fan wrote. Another added, “This video’s going triple platinum when Islam subs him in one.”
Still, supporters of Della Maddalena believe he can hold his own. “JDM’s grappling is solid — this fight’s going to be a war,” one fan posted.
Whether it’s a clash of styles or a battle of wills, UFC 322 promises to be one of the year’s most anticipated main events.
