UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena isn’t worried about hitting the mat against Islam Makhachev.
Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) makes his first title defense against Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) in the UFC 322 main event Nov. 15 from Madison Square Garden in New York.
Della Maddalena was able to stuff six of Belal Muhammad’s nine takedown attempts in his title win at UFC 315. The betting underdog welcomes Makhachev’s wrestling.
“He probably, in his best mind, would be thinking take me down, hold me down, and submit me,” Della Maddalena told Fox Sports Australia. “So, I think in the grappling, I’ll be able to surprise him. I believe I’ve got the right techniques for his sort of A-game. I think it’ll throw him off a bit.”
Della Maddalena is not playing into the narrative of Makhachev being a lightweight going up to welterweight.
“I think he’s one of the best fighters in the world,” Della Maddalena said. “I don’t look at it as, like, he’s a different weight class. I just look at it as he’s coming up to fight me in my weight class. I definitely think he’s one of the best champions at the moment. Obviously he’s vacated the belt, but he’s one of the long-reigning champions, so I’m excited. Toughest fight of my career. I feel good, I feel like I got the right plan, and now it’s just a matter of putting it together on the night.”
