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Islam Makhachev’s coach did something he never has to prepare for Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 4:36 PM ET

The threat posed by Jack Della Maddalena has driven Islam Makhachev’s team to new extremes.

Once the UFC completes its annual October visit to Abu Dhabi for a pay-per-view topped by Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane on October 25, all eyes will turn to the prestigious Madison Square Garden.

UFC 322 in New York City will be headlined by Makhachev challenging welterweight king Della Maddalena. The Dagestani star vacated the throne at 155 pounds earlier this year ahead of his attempt to join the club of two-division champions on MMA’s biggest stage.

That opportunity is now less than one month away, and Makhachev’s coach knows that achieving the feat won’t come easy.

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Javier Mendez has watched more tape than ever to get Islam Makhachev ready for Jack Della Maddalena

Makhachev enjoyed a dominant rise into the GOAT conversation at lightweight courtesy of 15 straight victories since his lone career loss.

The final fight in the Russian’s reign ended emphatically, with Makhachev submitting Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in the very first round. Not many are expecting Della Maddalena to be run through in similar fashion, including coach Javier Mendez.

Speaking to MMA Junkie ahead of his fighter’s shot at becoming a double champion, Mendez revealed he’s completed more tape study on the Australian’s last fight than he has for any of Makhachev’s past opponents.

“He will be the new welterweight UFC champion,” Mendez said confidently.

“Jack is such a tough customer that if we overlook him – which we haven’t. I’ve actually viewed Jack’s fight with Belal (Muhammad) five times. Five times, guys! Five times!

“I’ve never really done that,” Mendez continued. “That’s how much I respect Jack. I rewatched him, rewatched him, and I said, ‘Man, we’ve got our hands full with Jack.'”

Islam Makhachev was praised by a former rival for attempting ‘huge ask’

Predictions have varied for Makhachev’s first foray into the cage as a welterweight, and among those backing Della Maddalena to stall the Dagestani’s pursuit of two-division glory is Dan Hooker.

‘The Hangman’ knows the former lightweight champ’s talents firsthand, having been submitted by him inside one round in 2021.

Although he’s backing his fellow Oceanian fighter to do what he could not, Hooker has praised Makhachev for targeting a daunting feat up at 170 pounds.

“It’s a huge ask for Islam,” Hooker told Sky Sports New Zealand.

“Credit to him for stepping up to the plate and coming up to welterweight. Definitely got my respect for being able to move up a weight class and fight Jack Della.

“It’s something that even the greatest lightweight of all time, Khabib, never managed to chase that accomplishment of being a two-division champion,” Hooker continued. “So credit to him, but it is a huge ask.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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