UFC legend Dustin Poirier has become the latest fighter to speak out about how things could play out between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.
In Saturday night’s main event, Jack Della Maddalena will try to prevent Islam Makhachev from becoming a two-weight world champion. While many believe Islam is the favorite in this battle, JDM has proven itself more than capable of facing elite-level opposition.
On the other hand, there is an argument that Islam Makhachev is a completely different beast. Still, Jack Della Maddalena is the one who has experience at 170 pounds, while Makhachev is taking a big risk by jumping up from 155 pounds.
In a recent interview, Dustin Poirier gave his thoughts on how this whole Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev thing could go down.
Dustin Poirier’s take on Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
“I’m excited about it [Makhachev]Poirier told MMA Fighting. ‘He made history. He tries to keep making history. I’ll be at that event at Madison Square Garden with Bud Light, so [I’m] excited to see that in person.
“To pick a fighter in this one, I think both guys are good at certain things. It’s all going to come down to JDM’s takedown defense. If he can get back to his feet, if he can use the fence, or stay off the fence, use his boxing, I think he can definitely give Islam a lot of problems in the center of the fight.” octagon. He’s a great striker. He is big and powerful.”
“Often we think of a lightweight moving up to welterweight – it’s a 15-pound weight difference. But Islam is not a small man. He’s not small. I don’t know, maybe he’s 6-foot-4,” and he’s big. He’s a big guy.
“It’s not like he has to spend years building muscle to make this jump to the next weight class. He’s a guy who’s keeping his body from naturally getting bigger the way he wants to be so he can compete in the lightweight division. He’s going to fill this weight class, and he’s not going to look like a lightweight moving up to welterweight. He’s going to look like a solid welterweight in a title fight.”
“But it’s going to come down to his ability to get takedowns and stop JDM. If JDM can get back up and scramble again and again, I think he’s going to give Islam a lot of problems with the boxing exchanges.”
Quotes via MMA fighting
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