Australia's Jack Della Maddalena has vowed to defend his UFC welterweight title with a finish against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on Sunday (AEDT) at Madison Square Garden in New York. The 29-year-old from Perth faces the Russian pound-for-pound king, who moves up from lightweight after four successful title defences.
Maddalena, on an 18-fight MMA winning streak, is a $3.10 underdog but has trained with Alex Volkanovski and grappling coach Craig Jones to prepare for Makhachev's elite wrestling. 'I've been doing heaps of technical stuff... working on certain defences to chokes, different ways of getting back to the feet,' Maddalena said.
The champion's game plan involves making Makhachev work hard in grappling exchanges, then damaging him on the feet. 'Try and hit and not get hit and just get ahead of him, damage him and then try and get the finish,' he stated. Makhachev hasn't lost in 10 years and aims to become a two-division champion.
Maddalena, known for his knockout power, signed a six-fight contract extension in September. He remains focused on the challenge: 'I feel like I'm tackling another challenge rather than defending a belt... I'm just gonna give it my all and attack the challenge head on.' He added he wants to 'clear out the division and rest my case and leave one of the great welterweight careers behind me.'
