Trash talk is part of the fight game. Fighters hype up their bouts by making bold predictions and confident statements. Sometimes it’s genuine belief, other times it’s just selling tickets. Jack Della Maddalena has been doing plenty of talking ahead of his welterweight title defense against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.
The Australian champion shocked everyone by upsetting Belal Muhammad to win the belt back in May. Now he faces an even tougher challenge in Makhachev, the former lightweight champion who’s moving up to chase two-division glory. Della Maddalena hasn’t backed down from the challenge either, making several bold statements about what he will do to Makhachev on November 15.
The welterweight champ believes he has all the advantages heading into their Madison Square Garden showdown. He had stated that Makhachev was “too little” for him and expressed confidence in his striking ability. Della Maddalena referenced Alexander Volkanovski’s performance against Makhachev, suggesting the featherweight gave Islam problems with his boxing. If a smaller fighter like Volkanovski could find success striking, then Della Maddalena thinks his own striking will be even more effective at welterweight.
He has predicted he will “break” Makhachev and show the world that the Dagestani fighter can’t handle true welterweight power. It’s confident talk from a champion defending his belt. But Islam Makhachev has an ice cold response to Jack Della Maddalena’s bold prediction that shows he’s heard it all before.
In an interview with Match TV, Islam Makhachev made it clear he’s completely unfazed by Della Maddalena’s predictions. He pointed out that every single opponent says the same things before fighting him. And everytime they leave the octagon wondering what happened.
“I have heard this ‘I will break you’ thing so many times already. Every fight, someone wants to break me, someone wants to knock me out. People don’t believe such things anymore.”
It’s hard to argue with Makhachev’s perspective here. He’s faced elite competition throughout his UFC lightweight title reign and dominated almost everyone. Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski twice, and numerous other top contenders all came with their own game plans and predictions. None of it mattered once the cage door closed.
Islam Makhachev (27-1) has systematically broke down each opponent with his relentless grappling, suffocating pressure, and ever-improving striking. The results speak louder than any pre-fight trash talk ever could. When you have beaten everyone put in front of you, new challengers making bold predictions just sounds like white noise.
Makhachev has earned the right to be dismissive of bold predictions. He’s been hearing the same talk for years and keeps proving everyone wrong. Whether Della Maddalena can actually back up his words remains to be seen. One thing’s certain though: Makhachev won’t be intimidated by trash talk. November 15 at Madison Square Garden will show fans if this time is any different.
(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)
mma 
