May 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Belal Muhammad (not pictured) for the Welterweight Title during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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Jack Della Maddalena Vows To ‘Break’ Islam Makhachev At UFC 322

Confidence separates champions from pretenders in mixed martial arts. A fighter can have all the skills in the world, but without belief, they will crumble under pressure. Jack Della Maddalena has never lacked confidence throughout his fighting career. The Australian striker shocked the MMA world by upsetting Belal Muhammad to capture the welterweight championship back in May. That victory proved Della Maddalena could handle elite wrestlers and grapplers despite being primarily known for his devastating striking. Now he faces an even bigger test in Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champion moving up to chase two-division glory at Madison Square Garden on November 15.

Most analysts and fans favor Makhachev in this matchup given his championship pedigree and dominant grappling skills. But Jack Della Maddalena isn’t backing down from anyone’s expectations or predictions.

Jack Della Maddalena Believes He Will Take Makhachev’s Pound-For-Pound Ranking

Speaking on UFC Countdown, Jack Della Maddalena made a vow to ‘break’ Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 while making bold statements about his legacy and future in the sport.

“I’m gonna break Islam Makhachev, take his P4P spot, and it’s gonna be a great moment for my career and my legacy.”

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Those are fighting words from a champion who genuinely believes he has the tools to defeat one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. Della Maddalena isn’t just talking about defending his welterweight title successfully. He’s envisioning a complete dismantling of Islam Makhachev that elevates his own status in the sport dramatically. That’s ambitious considering Makhachev (27-1) sits among the top three pound-for-pound fighters after dominating lightweight for years.

The Australian champion clearly believes the size and power advantages at welterweight will be significant factors. Makhachev is moving up a weight class for the first time in his UFC career, which means dealing with naturally bigger and stronger opponents. Della Maddalena walks around closer to his fighting weight. He’s betting that his striking power will be too much for Islam to handle when they’re closer in size.

Why This Fight Defines Both Men’s Legacies

For Jack Della Maddalena, defeating Islam Makhachev would instantly validate his championship reign and establish him as a legitimate elite fighter. His upset of Belal Muhammad was impressive, but critics still question whether he can repeat that performance against other top contenders. Beating Makhachev would silence every doubter and prove the Muhammad victory wasn’t a fluke. It would also position Della Maddalena as one of the biggest stars in the welterweight division moving forward.

For Islam Makhachev, this fight represents his chance at two-division glory and cementing his legacy among the all-time greats. He vacated the lightweight title specifically to pursue this opportunity at 170 pounds. If he wins, he joins the exclusive club of two-division champions and strengthens his case as one of the best fighters ever. But if he loses, questions will emerge about whether leaving lightweight was a mistake and if his skills translate against naturally bigger opponents.

(Image Credit: Eric Bolte – Imagn Images)

Islam Makhachev

Jack Della Maddalena

UFC 322

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!