{"id":641463,"date":"2025-11-10T07:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T06:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=641463"},"modified":"2025-11-10T07:00:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T06:00:30","slug":"ufc-analyst-dismisses-islam-makhachev-hype-picks-jack-della-maddalena-to-pull-off-major-upset-at-ufc-322","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/ufc-analyst-dismisses-islam-makhachev-hype-picks-jack-della-maddalena-to-pull-off-major-upset-at-ufc-322\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Analyst Dismisses Islam Makhachev Hype, Picks Jack Della Maddalena To Pull Off Major Upset At UFC 322"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picking against Islam Makhachev has become a losing bet in recent years. The Dagestani fighter has steamrolled through the lightweight division with his suffocating grappling and improved striking skills. He has defended his title multiple times and made elite fighters look average in the process. Most analysts and fans have learned to simply accept that Islam wins fights, no matter who stands across from him. But one respected voice in MMA isn’t buying the hype for UFC 322, and his reasoning might actually make sense.<\/p>

Kenny Florian has seen it all during his time in the sport as both a fighter and analyst. The former UFC<\/a> and PFL commentator knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. He’s also experienced moving between four weight classes firsthand, starting his career at middleweight before eventually dropping down to featherweight. That unique perspective gives his analysis extra weight when discussing Islam Makhachev’s jump up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the belt at UFC 322.<\/p>

Kenny Florian Reveals The Size, Strength And Pressure Factor Against Islam Makhachev<\/h2>

Florian isn’t dismissing Makhachev’s skills or accomplishments at lightweight. He acknowledges Islam could potentially smash JDM against the cage and rack up takedowns round after round. But he’s puzzled by the odds makers treating this like another routine Makhachev victory. The 15-pound jump from lightweight to welterweight represents a massive difference that people seem to be overlooking completely. <\/p>

Florian points out something interesting about the psychology of this matchup. Everyone has jumped on the Islam Makhachev train, which means the pressure sits squarely on his shoulders. JDM holds the belt and has nothing to lose. He can fight loose and free while Makhachev (27-1<\/a>) carries expectations of continuing his dominance. That dynamic flip could play a major role when things get tough. Florian explained on his Anik & Florian Podcast.<\/strong><\/p>

“Moving around a 170-pound body in practice is way different than moving around a 170-pound body in a fight… The crazy thing about this is, everyone is on the Islam Makhachev train right now, but I feel like there’s more pressure on Islam than there is JDM, and JDM is the guy who has the belt.” <\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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A post shared by MMA Junkie (@mmajunkie)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>