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Team Khabib Insider Predicts Jack Della Maddalena to Have Same Outcome as Dricus Du Plessis

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Nidhin Shibu | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 6:48 AM ET

Dominant wrestlers have become the most difficult matchups for various fighters in the UFC. Recent fights of Khamzat Chimaev and Merab Dvalishvili have shown as much to the MMA community. As such, Jack Della Maddalena defending his title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 becomes an intriguing matchup to see if dominant grapplers can continue their dominance.

JDM has shown that he is not the typical striker facing a dominant grappler in the Islam Makhachev matchup. After all, he completely destroyed the gameplan of his UFC 315 opponent, Belal Muhammad, and stuffed 6 takedowns from 9 attempts. Moreover, whenever he did get taken down, the Aussie fighter got right back up to keep the bout standing and win by points.

The scrambling ability as well as BJJ training with Craig Jones will come in handy for the welterweight champion. However, Belal Muhammad is predicting JDM to perform much like Dricus Du Plessis did at UFC 319 against Chimaev.

I think Islam can finish JDM on the ground. We saw with DDP, if you’ve never felt one of those Dagestani wrestlers, you don’t want it to be your first time in the cage feeling it. Islam and they have a different type of grappling. JDM makes a lot of mistakes on the ground.
Belal Muhammad via No Scripts podcast

Scrambling on the ground often leaves room for submission threats in MMA. Islam Makhachev is very slick in submissions and will look to capitalize on such mistakes from JDM to secure a submission. After all, he did the same against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 with a D’Arce choke. If not, Muhammad expects the Dagestani fighter to control the welterweight champion on the ground.

Belal Muhammad believes Islam can finish JDM on the ground and expose his mistakes

"I think Islam can finish JDM on the ground. We saw with DDP, if you’ve never felt one of those Dagestani wrestlers, you don’t want it to be your first time in the cage feeling it. Islam and… pic.twitter.com/jrEDidiVLI
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 19, 2025

In recent years, Belal Muhammad and Islam Makhachev have trained together under Khabib Nurmagomedov . ‘Bully B’ even credited Team Khabib for helping him win the welterweight title from Leon Edwards last year.

This declaration from Muhammad serves as a chilling warning for JDM in case the Aussie fighter thought he could scramble on the ground to get back up like he always does. His high-level scrambling ability was showcased in the Gilbert Burns encounter at UFC 299 despite having an injured hand. As such, JDM vs. Makhachev gains more hype as fans wait to witness how things will play out.

Islam Makhachev warned about chin strength by Team Jack Della Maddalena

All the people doubting JDM’s grappling ability and takedown defense are also overlooking how many times Islam Makhachev has got wobbled in his career. Alexander Volkanovski wobbled Makhachev and even scored a knockdown at UFC 284. Even Dustin Poirier wobbled Makhachev at UFC 302 during their five-round title fight.

Wobbling a great fighter like Islam Makhachev is not something everyone can do. As such, it does pose the question – What happens if a welterweight were to hit Makhachev right on the chin? As a welterweight, Jack Della Maddalena has a better knockout power than Volk and Poirier. This is something that Team JDM is banking on.

I just don’t think Islam has the chin that Belal has. We know for a fact that if Jack clips someone clean on the chin, they can go over. So it could happen in the first minute, or it could happen in the 24th minute. Jack’s cardio is exceptional, his power is exceptional.
Ben Vickers via Submission Radio

Jack Della Maddalena’s coach confident Islam cannot withstand Jack’s power #UFC322

"I just don’t think Islam has the chin that Belal has. We know for a fact that if Jack clips someone clean on the chin, they can go over. So it could happen in the first minute, or it could… pic.twitter.com/pezLOPh3Vj
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 29, 2025

Belal Muhammad showcased great chin strength in the UFC 315 title fight against JDM. After all, the Aussie fighter landed several powerful strikes to wobble Muhammad, but could not finish the Palestinian fighter. Makhachev has been knocked out once in his career, and Team JDM are certainly preparing for a finish when they meet at UFC 322.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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