UFC 322 – Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev: Preview & Betting Tips

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The UFC returns with a blockbuster main event at UFC 322, as former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moves up to welterweight to face Australian knockout artist Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title.

Della Maddalena (18-2) has pieced together one of the most impressive runs in the entire promotion. The Perth native has gone 9-0 in the UFC, showcasing slick boxing, tight defence, and vicious body work on his way to his crowning victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.

Makhachev (27-1) enters as a clear favourite, and it’s easy to see why. The Dagestani champion has looked nearly untouchable since claiming the lightweight title from Charles Oliveira in 2022. His back-to-back wins over Alexander Volkanovski, including a head-kick knockout in the rematch, showed that he’s evolved beyond his reputation as just a smothering wrestler.

Tale of the Tape

Jack Della Maddalena – Odds 3.00 (Sky Bet)

Record: 18-2

Age: 29

Height: 5ft11

Reach: 73”

Weight: Welterweight

Stance: Switch

Islam Makhachev – Odds 1.30 (Sky Bet)

Record: 27-1

Age: 34

Height: 5ft10

Reach: 70”

Weight: Welterweight

Stance: Southpaw

Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev: Analysis

The reigning and defending welterweight champ simply must keep the fight standing. His jab, body shots, and combination punching are among the sharpest in the UFC. He’s patient, accurate, and deadly if he can find rhythm.

The Australian will need excellent takedown defence and distance management; circling, feinting, and punishing Makhachev’s entries with uppercuts and knees could make the difference. He doesn’t need to stop every takedown, but he must make Makhachev work for each one and avoid extended time on his back.

Expect Makhachev to close the distance from the early seconds, work from the clinch, and test Della Maddalena’s takedown defence, which to be fair held up excellently against Muhammad.

Once the Dagestani native secures top control, few in MMA can match his suffocating pressure or submission threat. Even against naturally bigger opponents, Makhachev’s technique and strength advantage in transitions should carry over. However, the key will be his entries. Della Maddalena’s crisp counters and tight hooks punish sloppy level changes.

Della Maddalena vs Makhachev: Prediction & Betting Tips

Makhachev’s grappling depth, gas tank, and composure are simply on another level to what Della Maddalena has ever come up against before. That being said, the same can be said that Makhachev has never faced anyone as physically big and as hard hitting as the Australian is.

There’s two markets I think people should really be focusing on in this fight. The first one is perhaps the most obvious one; Islam Makhachev to win by submission at odds of 2.88 (Sky Bet). The second one is Jack Della Maddalena to win by KO/TKO at odds of 5.00 (Sky Bet).

As the days tick down to the fight, I will be monitoring both lines to see if there is any change. Personally, though, there are too many uncertainties in this one. Can Della Maddalena stuff Makhachev’s takedowns as well as he stuffed Muhammad? And, can Makhachev maintain his extraordinary gruelling output that he did at lightweight against genuine elite welterweights?

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