Key Highlights
- Jack Della Maddalena defends his UFC welterweight title against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 in Madison Square Garden.
- Makhachev has a undefeated streak since 2015 and aims to become a two-weight champion.
- Della Maddalena is also on an unbeaten run since 2016, marking his first defense of the title he won recently.
- Notable MMA experts have given their predictions for the fight, with opinions ranging from 50/50 to strong favoring Della Maddalena.
UFC 322: Stakes Are High in Welterweight Championship Match
The upcoming UFC 322 event on Saturday will see two formidable fighters clash for the welterweight championship. Jack Della Maddalena, the newly crowned champion, defends his title against Islam Makhachev, who seeks to establish himself as a two-weight champion in the sport.
Background of the Fighters
Makhachev enters the fight with an impressive record of 27 wins and just one loss. He has not suffered a defeat since 2015, demonstrating remarkable consistency. Della Maddalena, on the other hand, is unbeaten in his career since 2016 after experiencing two early defeats.
Expert Predictions
The fight has attracted significant attention from seasoned MMA experts, who have offered their insights:
- Leon Edwards, the former UFC welterweight champion, remains 50/50 on the outcome, considering Makhachev’s potential to wrestle and Della Maddalena’s effective takedown defense.
- Michael Bisping, a retired UFC champion, initially backed Della Maddalena but later shifted his prediction towards Makhachev. “The more I thought about it the more I started to think Islam wins this fight,” he stated on Instagram.
- Alex Volkanovski, the current UFC featherweight champion, predicts a victory for Della Maddalena, emphasizing the importance of takedown defense in preventing Makhachev’s ground game.
- Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, suggests that Della Maddalena can control the fight on his feet and potentially knock Makhachev out. “Jack della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam’s game and put it on the feet and knock him out,” he asserted.
- Beneil Dariush, a UFC lightweight contender, initially leaned towards Makhachev but now favors Della Maddalena, citing Della Maddalena’s ability to establish range and feints.
- Sean O’Malley, the UFC bantamweight fighter, predicts a close fight in favor of Makhachev. He expresses uncertainty and reluctance towards guessing fights.
- Demetrious Johnson, a retired UFC champion, considers this fight significant, predicting it could be a battle between Della Maddalena’s pressure tactics and Makhachev’s ground game.
Implications for the Champions
The outcome of this fight will have far-reaching implications. For Della Maddalena, a win would solidify his position as one of the top welterweights in the UFC. Conversely, Makhachev’s victory could cement his status as a two-weight champion and enhance his reputation within the sport.
MMA fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating this match at UFC 322 on Saturday night in Madison Square Garden, with many predictions suggesting a competitive and potentially exciting fight that could shape the future of both champions’ careers.
