Israel Adesanya Predicts Islam Makhachev Will ‘Get Hurt’ at UFC 322
Let’s be honest, everyone loves a good underdog story, and it seems former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is all in on one for UFC 322. While many are betting on the seemingly unstoppable Islam Makhachev to clinch another title, Adesanya is putting his chips on the welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena. In a classic “striker versus grappler” debate, “The Last Stylebender” didn’t just pick a winner; he basically wrote the script for how he sees Makhachev’s downfall playing out.
On his YouTube channel, Adesanya broke down the highly anticipated main event, and he wasn’t shy about his confidence in Della Maddalena. He painted a picture of a fight where Makhachev, for all his legendary grappling, will eventually be forced to stand and trade blows with one of the most technical boxers in the game. And according to Izzy, that’s when things get ugly for the Russian.
“I am not trying to count Islam out, but I know Jack,” Adesanya explained. “I know that when Jack keeps getting up, it’s gonna be a problem and Islam’s gonna be forced to strike, and when he is forced to strike with Jack, he’s gonna get hurt.”
It’s a bold prediction, especially considering Makhachev’s near-flawless record and his history of making elite fighters look like amateurs on the ground. But Adesanya seems to think Della Maddalena’s grit and technical prowess are the perfect kryptonite.
Can Della Maddalena Stop the Takedown?
The million-dollar question in any Islam Makhachev fight is simple: can his opponent stay on their feet? Adesanya acknowledges that Makhachev is one of the best ever, but he also pointed out that we’ve seen cracks in the armor before. He brought up how fighters like Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski managed to get back to their feet after being taken down by the Dagestani powerhouse. Izzy believes Della Maddalena has the skills to do the same, and then some.
“I think Islam will be able to get him down,” Adesanya conceded. “But for how long?”
He described Della Maddalena as a “technical beast” whose boxing is “second to none.” The prediction isn’t just a hopeful guess; it’s a calculated breakdown. Adesanya believes that every time Della Maddalena gets up, a little piece of Makhachev‘s soul will crumble. The frustration will mount, forcing Makhachev into a striking battle he’s not equipped to win against an elite boxer.
“I really think that Jack Della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam’s game and just be able to put it on the feet and knock him out,” Adesanya declared, even calling the round. “Might be second round, might be third.” Talk about calling your shot.
Is Makhachev’s Team Worried?
You don’t get to be a champion like Islam Makhachev by underestimating your opponents. His coach, Javier Mendez, seems to be taking the threat of Della Maddalena very seriously. In an interview with Submission Radio, Mendez admitted he’s been putting in some serious overtime studying tape—more than for any other opponent.
“I’ve watched the fight between him and Belal Muhammad seven times, and I’ve never done that with anybody,” Mendez revealed. “Seven times I’ve watched it, because I respect him. He is good.”
When a legendary coach like Mendez is hitting the film room that hard, you know it’s not just for show. It’s a sign of respect for the danger Della Maddalena brings to the octagon. While Mendez remains confident in his fighter, his actions speak volumes about the challenge they see in the Aussie champion.
So, will Adesanya’s prophecy come true? Will Jack Della Maddalena weather the initial storm and land the knockout blow that solidifies his place at the top? Or will Islam Makhachev prove once again why he’s considered one of the most dominant forces in MMA history? We’ll have to wait for UFC 322 to find out, but one thing’s for sure: Izzy just made this fight a whole lot more interesting.
