Michael Chandler thinks Islam Makhachev will feel a different kind of power at welterweight.
Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) makes his first title defense at 170 pounds against former lightweight champ Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) in the UFC 322 headliner on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Chandler isn’t speaking about Makhachev’s physical strength, but more of the punching power he’ll have to absorb from a dangerous boxer like Della Maddalena.
“He’s not much of a puzzle. He’s pretty basic, but he is brilliant and violent, and devastating with the basics,” Chandler said of Della Maddalena on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “(He has) a little bit of range, a little bit of reach on Islam. Islam’s a different breed. I wouldn’t sit there and say he’s a 155’er, so he’s not used to going with 170-pounders. I would not be surprised if Islam’s entire career, he’s sparred with 155, 170, 185 and 205’ers because the dude’s kind of a nut. So I don’t think strength or size is going to be a problem.
“It’s going to be the dichotomy between JDM’s great striking abilities and is his takedown defense enough to stop the onslaught of wrestling that Islam’s going to bring? I do think even standup battle against (Dustin) Poirier, Poirier does hit hard because I’ve witnessed that and felt it firsthand. But there’s no way he hits as hard as JDM. It’s going to be interesting. I think Islam’s going to get tagged up a couple times, and we’re going to see if he goes to that wrestling pretty quick. But I think JDM’s a monster. I give JDM the slight nod on that one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Islam is holding that belt.”
Despite many fighters siding with Della Maddalena, betting odds continue to favor Makhachev to claim a second UFC belt.
