If you want expert analysis on UFC 322’s main event between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski has you covered. The featherweight champion has trained extensively with Jack and fought
Islam twice. Now he’s uploaded a 37 minute video breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of both men.
While Volkanovski started off by praising Della Maddalena’s strong scrambling and ability to get up from his back, he made it clear that the fight will be won on the feet.
“Jack’s great on the ground, but we don’t want it to go to the ground,” Volkanovski said. “Even though Jack’s good there, that’s Islam’s world. That’s all he does 24-7 since he was walking. Like, literally, he’s probably wrestling before he started walking. That’s how long these guys have been doing this for. Do we want to go there?”
“If you’re comfortable enough in the scrambles and keep that urgency and use your weight and hopefully wear on him, I was able to tire Islam from all the little scrambles. Can Jack be effective where he can burn him there take the gas away? If he’s gonna be complacent in the wrestling and wait till he’s on his back to build up, you’re not gonna tire Islam out there.”
“Jack has gotta understand,” Volk continued. “‘I ain’t even letting you try to get this on the floor. I’m gonna try and beat you on the feet. I’m gonna keep you away. I’m gonna have nice strong hips. I’m gonna be very stubborn on the feet, stubborn on the wrestling. If it goes down, stubborn to build myself back up.’ And he’s a great grappler as well, so he can definitely do that. But Jack needs to keep it on the feet, and that’s what he wants.”
Unsurprisingly considering they’re countrymen and training partners, Volkanovski is picking Della Maddalena to beat Makhachev.
“Islam’s moving up, people gotta remember that,” he concluded. “With the weight stuff, I feel when you’re that good, it doesn’t really matter. But when you got someone that good, that’s heavier, that can be a problem. And Jack Della is that good, especially on the feet. That extra weight, tough as nails. I’m going with the underdog, Jack Della Maddalena.”
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