Israel Adesanya Backs Jack Della Maddalena to Upset Islam Makhachev at UFC 322
The day before UFC 322, middleweight king Israel Adesanya has made a bold prediction: he’s putting his money on fellow Australian-outfit Jack Della Maddalena to topple the dominant former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.
Adesanya called Della Maddalena a “technical beast” who fights like a beast but brings high-level technique to the feet. He praised Della Maddalena’s boxing and kick-boxing, saying his hands are “where the money is.” MMA Fighting
He predicts that Makhachev — despite his standout wrestling and takedown-based attack — will struggle once Della Maddalena keeps rising to his feet and starts punishing him on the feet:
“When Jack keeps getting up … Islam’s going to be forced to strike … when he’s forced to strike with Jack, he’s going to get hurt.” MMA Fighting
While Makhachev’s credentials are undisputed — former lightweight champion, multiple title defences — Adesanya posits that the striking gap in this matchup will tell. He admitted Makhachev can jab and leg kick, and launch takedowns, but he doesn’t believe Makhachev’s striking will carry him to the win. MMA Fighting
He expects a fairly quick finish:
“Might be second round, might be third, but we’ll see.” MMA Fighting
This perspective offers a strong narrative for Saturday’s main event: Della Maddalena seeking his first major title defence and Makhachev moving up to 170 lbs to claim yet another belt. According to Adesanya, the big question is whether Makhachev can get Della Maddalena to the mat and keep him there — because if he doesn’t, trouble lies ahead.
Expect the striking exchanges to dominate early and possibly set the tone for the whole fight. From Adesanya’s view, if Della Maddalena lands his shots and disciplines his movement, the upset is very much on the table.
