Dricus Du Plessis can’t pick against Islam Makhachev.
Former lightweight champion Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) challenges welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 322 main event (ESPN+ pay-per-view) at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Although Makhachev will be moving up a division for the first time in his career, Du Plessis can’t disregard the elite-level competition he has beaten throughout his career, which he thinks will be a major factor.
“If you look at his opponents vs. Makhachev’s opponents, Makhachev has beaten the who’s who,” Du Plessis said on Fight Forecast. “He was pound-for-pound king for a very good reason. People think Jack Della is going to be bigger; I don’t think so. That’s why they did such a long camp, to pick up the weight correctly. He looks big, he looks thick, and he looks strong. No doubt he’s a hard worker.
“With Jack Della, I love his style, I like him, I like his personality. I would love for him to win that belt, but unfortunately, I cannot go against Makhachev in this one. I think he is just so good. I think he’s so good, and I don’t think he’s going to give up anything going up a weight. I think he’s going to be great at that weight to be honest.”
Entering fight week, Makhachev is a -290 favorite to dethrone Della Maddalena, who’s a +215 underdog, according to FanDuel.
