Jack Della Maddalena Warned by Team Islam Makhachev After Underestimating Superstar’s Striking

This warning comes as Makhachev prepares to move up to welterweight for a blockbuster title fight against Maddalena at UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden. Maddalena has earned a reputation as one of the UFC’s most clinical boxers, known for his crisp combinations and lethal finishing ability. However, Mendez believed that Islam had consistently proven himself against high-level strikers.

Mendez is a veteran coach who has overseen the development of both ‘The Eagle’ and Makhachev at American Kickboxing Academy. He specializes in improving their intense wrestling- Sambo-based fighting style. He has often spoken about the respect and trust the two Dagestani fighters place in him, noting how their bond is rooted in values instilled by the Hall of Famer’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

As UFC 322 approaches, the battle lines are clear as Maddalena will look to showcase his boxing brilliance, while Makhachev aims to prove he can dominate at 170 pounds. With both men carrying momentum and their camps trading verbal jabs, the fight promises to be one of the year’s most compelling showdowns.

Jack Della Maddalena’s coach weighs in on the Islam Makhachev superfight.

Jack Della Maddalena’s head coach, Ben Vickers, has doubts about Islam Makhachev’s durability ahead of their welterweight title clash at UFC 322. Speaking in the buildup to the November showdown, Vickers argued that Makhachev lacks the jaw strength to withstand JDM’s power and warned that a clean shot could end the fight at any moment

Maddalena had gained a reputation as one of the UFC’s most precise strikers, finishing opponents with sharp combinations and well-timed counters. Vickers compared Makhachev’s toughness to that of former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. He believed that the Dagestani phenom does not possess the same resilience, leaving an opening for Maddalena’s clinical boxing to become the deciding factor.

I just don’t think that Islam has the chin that Belal has. We know for a fact that if Jack clips someone clean on the chin, they could go over.

Ben Vickers via Submission Radio

The fight has added stakes as the verbal sparring between camps has intensified, with JDM’s camp highlighting the former lightweight’s supposed vulnerability. However, Makhachev’s team had insisted on his well-rounded dominance. This has set the stage for one of the most intriguing stylistic battles of the year.