Jack Della Maddalena needed to battle for 5 arduous rounds to change into welterweight champion.
His coach Ben Vickers expects one other arduous combat when Della Maddalena defends his title in opposition to Islam Makhachev within the UFC 322 primary occasion on Nov. 15 in New York, however possibly not as tough as what Della Maddalena went by way of to take the belt from Belal Muhammad.
“I just like the matchup, I actually do,” Vickers instructed Southern Cross Fight. “I feel it’d truly be a bit simpler than the Belal combat, simply given the types and that. Belal’s a bit extra unorthodox, so a bit tougher to deal with whereas Islam’s a extra conventional kind of striker. Clearly, a barely smaller man and I don’t doubt that he’s going to place the burden on.
“There’s two methods it might go. Doesn’t having to chop weight assist him or does carrying that additional weight hinder his cardio? We don’t know the way that’s going to play out but. He’s clearly by no means fought at ‘70 as a aggressive fighter, I don’t assume, so it’s going to be his first time stepping up a weight class, in a title combat, doing 5 rounds with the champ. It’s a tricky ask for Islam and I perceive that his physique of labor and the best way that he’s kind of dispatched with everybody of late makes him the favourite, however I actually assume Jack’s going to have an excellent time on this combat.”
Makhachev has been one of the vital dominant fighters in all of fight sports activities over the previous 9 years, recording 14 straight victories within the UFC’s loaded light-weight division together with 4 consecutive title defenses. He’s at present No. 1 within the MMA Combating Pound-for-Pound Rankings.
One issue that led to Della Maddalena successful the title this previous Might at UFC 315 was his capacity to defend in opposition to Muhammad’s strain wrestling. Although Muhammad made a acutely aware choice to strike extra with Della Maddalena, when he did go to his grappling he was unable to generate a lot important offense. Vickers is ready for Makhachev to offer them a distinct look ought to the competition change into grappling-heavy.
“I feel clearly Islam’s a a lot better ending risk,” Vickers stated. “He’s a man that will get submissions, whereas Belal’s extra of a trip out positions form of man and look to stall out the combat. I feel there’s a bit extra hazard in Islam’s grappling. He’s getting stoppages, however he’s getting stoppages in opposition to smaller guys and Jack’s very arduous to submit. If it’s not excellent, it’s not going to work, so he’ll get out.
“We’ll see, however I do assume that Islam, on paper, is a greater grappler.”
Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez not too long ago stated it’s not the wrestling Della Maddalena wants to fret about. He warned the Australian champion that placing with Makhachev is “a complete completely different ballgame” when fighters are literally in there with him.
Vickers respects Makhachev’s all-around sport, however isn’t satisfied his standup is superior to Della Maddalena’s.
“[Makhachev is] an excellent striker, however I really feel like he’s a studying striker,” Vickers stated. “I really feel like he’s not as fluent as his grappling is. I really feel prefer it’s not his most popular factor and I really feel like he doesn’t have excessive consolation there simply but. He’s undoubtedly an excellent striker, however he’s undoubtedly not on Jack’s stage in terms of placing.”
