,” Poirier told MMA Fighting. “He made history. He’s trying to continue making history. I’m going to be there in attendance with Bud Light for that event at Madison Square Garden, so excited to see that in person.” Poirier believes the size difference between Makhachev and Della Maddalena will not be as significant as one might expect.
Poirier explained, “A lot of times we think about a lightweight going up to welterweight — it’s a 15-pound weight difference.
But Islam is not a small man. He’s not short. I don’t know, maybe he’s 5’11”, and he’s big.
He’s a big guy. It’s not like he’s having to put on years of muscle to make this leap to the next weight class, he’s a guy who’s been holding his body back from naturally being bigger like he wants to be so he can compete in the lightweight division. He’s going to fill into this weight class, and he’s not going to look like a lightweight moving up to welterweight.
He’s going to look like a solid welterweight in a title fight.” This perspective suggests that Makhachev is well-prepared for his new weight class.
Regarding the takedown defense of Della Maddalena, Poirier added, “To pick a fighter in this one, I think both guys are great at certain things. It’s all going to come down to the takedown defense of JDM. If he can get back up to his feet, if he can use the fence, or stay off the fence, use his boxing, I think he definitely could give Islam a lot of troubles in the center of the octagon.
He’s a great striker. He’s big and powerful.” This insight highlights the importance of Della Maddalena’s ability to avoid takedowns and utilize his striking skills.
Conclusion
The matchup between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 promises to be a thrilling contest. Both fighters bring strong records and impressive performances, setting the stage for an exciting title fight. Poirier’s analysis suggests that Makhachev will not face a significant size disadvantage in his new weight class, making this event even more intriguing for MMA fans.
