Michael Bisping thinks Islam Makhachev was built for a massive moment like UFC 322 – and that will make the difference.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) challenges welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+/FX, ESPN+) at Madison Square Garden in New York. The former UFC lightweight champion will look to join a select few who were able to capture titles in two weight divisions.
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Bisping went from telling MMA Junkie it’s a 50-50 fight, to picking Della Maddalena by decision, to now siding with Makhachev.
“We’ve to got remember, Islam Makhachev was bred for this ever since he was a little boy,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “There’s something different about him, about his team, about Khabib (Nurmagomedov), about Eagle MMA, about Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the lineage, the heritage, and just the kind of fighting spirit these men have.
“Islam Makhachev has been bred for this moment, and he’s been in these big moments before. This is a super fight going down at Madison Square Garden, and this is Jack Della Maddalena’s first defense. On Instagram last week I said that Jack was going to win, but now I think about it more. The more I thought about it the more I started to think Islam wins this fight.”
With Makhachev having finished eight of his past nine opponents, Bisping envisions another stoppage win for him.
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“Jack Della Maddalena, I love this guy,” Bisping said. “He’s a big guy. He’s a strong welterweight. He’s got good takedown defense. He’s got beautiful boxing. But I just don’t think it’s his time. This is a superfight, and the magnitude of the event will play a factor. It’s a huge fight. There’s a massive amount of media attention on this matchup, as well.
“It is a true superfight because Islam Makhachev is daring to be great and join the GOAT by becoming a two-weight division champion. Will he do that? Will he join that very short list of fighters that were able to become double-champs? I say, yes. I think he beats Jack Della Maddalena. I think he finds a submission toward the end of the fight because that is what he does.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 322: Analyst flips Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev pick
