With UFC 322 just over two months away, fan excitement is ramping up for the main event, which will see Jack Della Maddalena defend his Welterweight belt for the first time against former Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, who is moving up in weight after a long and dominant reign as champion. It is a legacy fight for both men, and the excitement for the bout is definitely heating up.
Most fans have seemingly picked Islam Makhachev to get the job done in this fight and secure double champ status; however, former Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has backed JDM to get the job done, citing JDM’s well-rounded game and superior striking as the reason why he believes JDM edges this one.
Speaking to the MMA Arcade Podcast, Whittaker said, “I’m gonna go Jack. I think Jack has that X factor. I think he has that gut, the grit, the determination to fight the takedowns, the takedown attacks that Islam’s gonna go for, and I think in a striking fight, straight-up, Jack is better. I think he wins with the hands. I think Jack has the better game to strike over five rounds… People sleep on Jack’s grappling game; they sleep on his jiu-jitsu. I don’t think Islam is gonna be as gung-ho with takedowns as everybody believes, because Jack has that level of offence off his back…
Whittaker did add, “Skill-wise, I think they both have their strengths. I don’t think either one of them is overly superior in any way.”
View this post on Instagram
It will be interesting to see how JDM deals with Makhachev’s grappling. JDM has been training with well-esteemed grappling ccoachCraig Jones in preparation for this bout. His path to victory will be on the feet, and if he can keep it standing, the odds will tilt heavily in his favour. Still, Makhachev shouldn’t be counted out in a striking match. Whittaker highlighted Makchaev’s kicking game, arguing that it was superior to JDM’s, which will make the striking exchanges more interesting.
Subscribe
