Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

‘Light Work at This Weight’ – Conor McGregor Gives Jack Della Maddalena Inspiring Message Ahead of UFC 322 Clash Against Islam Makhachev

Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena prepares for his toughest test yet at UFC 322 on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Australian will defend his 170-pound belt against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev, who vacated his title to chase double-champ status.

Della Maddalena enters as the underdog despite his perfect 17-0 record and recent win over Belal Muhammad. While many analyst and betting sites view Makhachev as a favorite, with many favoring his grappling edge as overwhelming. The irony in all this? Makhachev is the one moving up 15 pounds, potentially ceding size and power to the striker Della Maddalena. Still, various experts predict Makhachev to expose JDM’s wrestling flaws. For Della Maddalena, it’s a chance to cement his legacy forever. And for Makhachev, he has a shot at joining rare two-division club.

Conor McGregor’s Blunt Advice to Della Maddalena

Conor McGregor, who isn’t really a fan of the Makhachev camp after his 2018 loss to Khabib, weighed in via a message relayed by grappling coach Craig Jones. Jones, who cornered Alexander Volkanovski in both Makhachev fights and now trains Della Maddalena, shared the note on Instagram this week.

The alleged text reads: “He will be light work at this weight. No finishing capability or positional awareness whatsoever. He is a backpack at best. Nothing to fear. Fear not! Patience, fitness, and ferocity, and he is sparked unconscious inside the 5 (rounds).”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Happy Punch (@happypunch)

McGregor dismisses Makhachev’s ground game as ineffective at welterweight, urging Della Maddalena to stay patient, keep fit, and attack fiercely for a knockout within five rounds. Jones posed the video without confirming direct contact, but Della Maddalena’ team welcomed the support and the boost.

Ties and Tensions Fuel the Message

The relay message makes perfect sense as no love exists between Conor McGregor and the Nurmagomedov lineage, nor the rest of the Russian fighters.

With UFC 322 right around the corner, this adds verbal fuel to a fight already stacked with co-main Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili. Jack Della Maddalena’s camp eyes the upset, calling Makhachev “easier” than Muhammad on the feet.

Jack Della Maddalena coach calls Islam Makhachev ‘easier’ than Belal Muhammad fight https://t.co/6a1Xtml6dH
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 21, 2025

Conor McGregor

Islam Makhachev

Jack Della Maddalena

UFC

UFC 322

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.