Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) celebrates defeating Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev Confirmed By Ali Abdelaziz; Waiting For A Proper UFC Announcement

Fight announcements in the UFC used to be straightforward affairs. Fighters would show up, sign contracts, and wait patiently for the official press releases to hit social media and news outlets. But the modern era has turned managers, training partners, and even family members into unofficial news breakers who love dropping hints on podcasts and interviews. Sometimes these leaks happen accidentally, while other times they’re strategic moves to build buzz around upcoming matchups that everyone knows are coming anyway.

The relationship between managers and promotions can get tricky when it comes to keeping fight news under wraps until the perfect moment. Smart managers understand that timing matters when it comes to maximizing attention and media coverage for their fighters. They also know that stepping on the UFC‘s toes by announcing fights before the promotion is ready can damage important business relationships.

Ali Abdelaziz Spills The Beans While Staying Respectful

Ali Abdelaziz has essentially confirmed that Islam Makhachev will face Jack Della Maddalena in an interview with Submission Radio. The influential manager made it clear that the deal is already done when asked about a potential November showdown at Madison Square Garden. However, he’s being careful not to steal the UFC’s thunder by making any official announcements himself. Abdelaziz specifically mentioned that he’s waiting for the promotion to handle the formal announcement out of respect, since that’s their job and he doesn’t want to spoil their carefully planned marketing rollout.

“At the end of the day, the fight is done. But I am always respectful to the promotion. It is their job. They need to announce the fight.”

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Abdelaziz could easily grab headlines by announcing every detail right now, but he understands that maintaining good relationships with UFC brass benefits his fighters in the long run. The veteran manager has learned that working with the promotion rather than against them leads to better opportunities and bigger fights for his stable of athletes. He’s essentially giving fans all the information they want while still allowing the UFC to control the narrative and timing of their official announcement.

Ali Abdelaziz Gives His Take On Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

What makes Abdelaziz’s comments particularly interesting is his take on how this fight will unfold. The manager freely admitted that Della Maddalena will lose the bout, but he also showed respect for the Australian’s skills and fighting ability. He called JDM a great fighter and acknowledged that this will be a tough test for Makhachev as he moves up to welterweight. This kind of balanced perspective is rare in a sport where managers usually engage in over-the-top promotional hype.

“JDM will lose, and I have a lot of respect for Maddalena. I think he is a very nice guy, he is a great fighter. You know, he is gonna be a very tough fight for Islam. But, I believe Islam has all the tools to beat him.”

Abdelaziz clearly understands that Della Maddalena brings legitimate threats to this matchup, especially given his well-rounded skill set and training camp connections to Alexander Volkanovski. That camp has already prepared for Makhachev twice during Volk’s unsuccessful lightweight title challenges, giving them valuable insights and footage to work with. The manager’s confidence in his fighter’s victory doesn’t blind him to the very real challenges that come with moving up in weight and facing a dangerous opponent who’s been studying his every move for months if not years.

(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)

Ali Abdelaziz

Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

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!