Dana White has a theory why the crowd during the UFC 322 press conference was on Islam Makhachev’s side.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) challenges Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for the welterweight title in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+/FX, ESPN+) at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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During Thursday’s press conference at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Makhachev had the crowd chanting his name, while Della Maddalena was showered with boos. UFC CEO White thinks there’s a reason for that – and it’s not entirely about fighting.
“Obviously , there’s a huge Muslim community out here in New York, but also you have to look at the fact that Islam is looked at as one of the best ever, and moving up and trying to beat a guy at 170,” White told Fox Sports Australia. “The thing that’s fascinated me about this whole thing, Polymarket, we did a deal with them this morning and they were showing me the stuff and it was like 78 percent Islam. It’s almost like Jack is getting no respect.
“The guy hasn’t lost in 10 years, he’s on an 18-fight win streak, and he just beat Belal Muhammad, who gave everybody hell before Jack. This fight is a lot closer than people are giving it credit for. He’s at that point in his career, came off the Contender Series, obviously’s been very successful, the fight of his life is Saturday night. And if he wins this fight, I think you’ll see it flip, and he’ll start getting a lot more respect.”
White also explained that while Della Maddalena is being overlooked, former UFC lightweight champion Makhachev is reaping the rewards of his prior success.
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“Islam has done so much,” White said. “The whole Dagestan and Khabib (Nurmagomedov angle), the camp that they have out there, and like I said, a huge Muslim – it’s basically like a Muslim country right now (around UFC 322). I’m sure Jack is feeling it.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White explains pro-Islam Makhachev crowd at UFC 322
