Jack Della Maddalena Welcomes Islam Makhachev to 170: 'I Hope They Say He’s Just a Lightweight'

From Questioned Legacies to New Frontiers

The setup mirrors a storyline that Makhachev himself once resisted. As lightweight champion, the Russian powerhouse balked at a proposed defense against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, worrying a win would be dismissed as beating a smaller man.

Now, Della Maddalena finds himself on the other end of that logic the bigger fighter welcoming a dominant champion from a lower weight class. But rather than diminishing the moment, he sees it as an opportunity to enhance his own resume.

“It’s a hard one because obviously he hasn’t done anything in the welterweight division,” Della Maddalena admitted. “But I think his résumé’s very respectable. He’s done a pretty good job clearing out [lightweight]. Before a champion moves up, at least clear out the division. I feel like that’s what he’s done.”

For Della Maddalena, the fight represents more than a first defense it’s a chance to measure himself against the UFC’s current pound-for-pound No. 1.

“He’s obviously been tossing up coming to welterweight for a long time,” Della Maddalena said. “I’m pretty lucky that this is my first defense. I couldn’t ask for anything bigger or better than fighting the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in my first title defense in New York City.”

Makhachev, riding a 15-fight win streak, is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters in MMA. His suffocating wrestling and opportunistic submissions have made him one of the sport’s most dominant figures.

But Della Maddalena’s been on a tear of his own finishing Gilbert Burns and outdueling Belal Muhammad to capture gold in May. Those wins proved he can handle pressure, pace, and high-level grapplers, giving him quiet confidence ahead of his biggest night yet.

Striker vs. Grappler — But Not So Simple

Fans and analysts have framed UFC 322 as a classic style clash: Makhachev’s world-class grappling versus Della Maddalena’s precise, punishing boxing. The champion insists that narrative undersells his skill set.

“Nothing’s really changed with my grappling,” he said. “I’ve just been working at it day in and day out, trying to get better. Building confidence from the Burns fight. A perfect fight for me would be to keep him on the outside and ping him get the finish.

But the competitor in me wants to test it and see how I can hang with someone of Islam’s credentials.”

Still, Della Maddalena admits the “perfect fight” means keeping Makhachev at range and outclassing him on the feet before delivering a statement knockout.

Underdog Mentality at MSG

Despite being champion, Della Maddalena enters UFC 322 as the betting underdog a role he relishes.

“I definitely feel like I’ve got the underdog mentality this time around,” he said. “I’ve got everything to prove. But I like it that way. It gives me more motivation to prove I’m the champion and solidify my spot as the top guy.”

Makhachev may carry the reputation, but Della Maddalena brings the hunger of a man defending home turf on MMA’s grandest stage.

“Come fight night and after the fight, I think there’s going to be a lot of different opinions on it,” he added. “And that’s exactly how I like it.”