Imagine the tension: two titans of the UFC, inches from each other, a welterweight title on the line. But can Jack Della Maddalena, the Aussie underdog, really dethrone the seemingly unstoppable Islam Makhachev? Many fight fans are saying it's impossible, a David-vs-Goliath mismatch, but Della Maddalena himself believes he has what it takes.
Just days before their highly anticipated UFC 322 clash at Madison Square Garden on November 14th, 2025, defending welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena and lightweight-turned-welterweight challenger Islam Makhachev engaged in a face-off so intense that UFC President Dana White had to physically separate them. The air crackled with animosity as the two fighters refused to break eye contact, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive battle.
The face-off, held after a pre-fight press conference, highlighted the simmering rivalry between the two athletes. You could practically feel the tension radiating from the stage.
Della Maddalena (18-2), riding an impressive 18-fight win streak and coming off a dominant title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad in May, is confident in his ability to defend his belt and bring it back to Australia. He won the title by unanimous decision against a very tough opponent, showcasing his skills.
Makhachev (27-1), on the other hand, is a force of nature. The 34-year-old Dagestani fighter, widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, vacated his lightweight title to move up to welterweight, seeking to add another championship to his already stellar resume. He boasts a 15-fight win streak of his own. But here's where it gets controversial... some argue that Makhachev's dominance at lightweight was largely due to favorable matchups, and that the step up to welterweight will expose weaknesses in his game.
Despite the boos raining down from the crowd at the press conference, which clearly favored Makhachev, Della Maddalena remained composed and focused. "This is what I got in this sport for – big challenges, big moments. I’m excited for the challenge and I’m looking forward to it,” he stated calmly.
His confidence didn't stop there. He boldly proclaimed, "I’m going to bring this belt back home to Australia, no doubt.” He also acknowledged Makhachev's legendary status, adding, “Obviously, Islam’s a legend. A big win over him would be a big name on the resume and it would definitely put me up on the pound-for-pound list.”
Makhachev, known for his stoic demeanor, responded with a subtle jab, referencing his past success against Australian fighters. “Australia, it’s a good place. I was there, I like it and now it’s 3-0, I will make it four,” he said, possibly including New Zealander Dan Hooker in that count, even though his only previous Australian opponent was Alexander Volkanovski, who he defeated twice. And this is the part most people miss: Makhachev's comments could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to undermine Della Maddalena's confidence by subtly questioning his national pride.
Della Maddalena quickly fired back, highlighting the growing success of Australian fighters in the UFC. “I am very proud to be Australian, very proud to raise the Australian flag,” he declared. He emphasized the competitive spirit and the strong fighting culture in Australia, which he believes is the key to their success. “Australia is very competitive, it has a fighting culture and that’s why we’re doing so well. We have two champions and after this weekend we will still have two champions.”
While both fighters are well-rounded, their strengths lie in different areas. Della Maddalena is known for his crisp boxing skills and knockout power, while Makhachev is renowned for his dominant wrestling and grappling. This stylistic clash promises to be a fascinating chess match inside the Octagon.
When asked if Della Maddalena was the best boxer in the UFC, Makhachev smiled and replied, “Jack is one of the best, but I am also a good striker, so let’s see who is better.” It was a respectful, yet confident, response, suggesting that he believes he can hold his own in the striking department.
Della Maddalena, in turn, asserted his ability to defend Makhachev's takedowns, a crucial element of Makhachev's game plan. He confidently stated that he could fend off takedown attempts for the entire 25 minutes of the fight, drawing confidence from his previous victory over Muhammad, where he successfully neutralized Muhammad's wrestling. “[I can do it for the] full 25 minutes,” he said with a knowing smile.
The stage is set. The fighters are ready. But who will emerge victorious? Will Della Maddalena's striking be enough to overcome Makhachev's grappling? Or will Makhachev add another Australian scalp to his collection and claim the welterweight title? And perhaps more importantly, is Makhachev truly underestimating Della Maddalena's striking ability? Let us know your predictions in the comments below! Do you think Della Maddalena's confidence is justified, or is he walking into a trap?
