Israel Adesanya believes Jack Della Maddalena is going to pull off the upset this weekend.
On Saturday, “JDM” defends his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 322. It’s the biggest fight of Della Maddalena’s career, but one his friend, Adesanya, believes he’s well-suited for.
“Jack, just a technical beast,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I say technical beast because he fights like a beast but he’s got such good technique. His boxing is second to none, good kickboxing as well, but his hands are where the money is. … This guy just knows how to work when it comes to these guys, the grapplers. And he’s not scared for a fight. …
“I think Jack, in this fight with Islam, he’s going to have to do what he did [against Belal Muhammad]. Do what he did, but better. Just overwhelm him with punishment on the feet, and then when he shoots — because he has to shoot, Islam’s not going to want to stand with Jack. He‘s going to stand with him, but he’s going to realize, ‘I need to shoot, because this is where I’m supposed to win, or I’m better at, supposedly.’ And then he can’t keep Jack down, and when he can’t keep Jack down, he’ll realize, ‘Oh, shit.’”
Makhachev is the former lightweight champion who set the record for most UFC lightweight title defenses earlier this year. As such, Makhachev is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, and so Adesanya knows he’s not without weapons, but he believes they won’t be enough.
“I think striking-wise, Islam can definitely leg kick, he can definitely jab him, but I don’t think he’s going to hurt him,” Adesanya said. “I think Islam will use his striking to get close, keep him guessing, and then shoot, because that’s where Islam feels like he’s the most dangerous in this fight.
“But when Jack keeps getting up, I’m not trying to count Islam out, but I know Jack. I know when Jack keeps getting up, it’s going to be a problem, and Islam’s going to be forced to strike, and when he’s forced to strike with Jack, he’s going to get hurt. That’s where I’m at in this fight.”
And as for when this might happen? Adesanya thinks the welterweight champion is going to make it a short evening on Saturday.
“In this fight, not just because it’s ANZAC united, I really think that Jack Della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam’s game, and be able to put it on the feet and knock him out,” Adesanya said. “Might be second round, might be third, but we’ll see.”
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This is some kind of video.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
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I will believe this when they are in the ring and not a moment before.
Just two more sleeps. I am unreasonably excited for this card. Cannot wait for Saturday.
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