Alexander Volkanovski: 'Jack Della Maddalena is going to be a problem for Islam Makhachev'

A blockbuster world title fight headlines the UFC 322 fight card on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Former lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev (27-1) moves up to the welterweight division to challenge champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) in a quest to achieve double-champ status.

Two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski provided his insight and prediction on the UFC 322 main event on his YouTube channel

“Jack Della Maddalena first. Things to look out for, his pressure boxing. You’re not going to think he’s the most craziest explosive guy, but the way he puts his boxing together, his hands together, and his pressure, and all of that is elite. It’s unreal,” Volkanovski said. “He’s a killer. He’s got that killer instinct. If he sees a finish, he goes for it. You’ve seen him even with submissions.”

“Jack’s game is to pressure you, be in your face, be effective on the feet. And I love that. You need to do that. That’s where you’re your best. That’s where you do your best work. Do that. Worry about the takedown when it’s there.”

While Della Maddalena’s game plan may be to keep it standing, Makhachev usually does his best work in putting his opponents on their back and mauling them from there.

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“I’m banking on him (Della Maddalena) making it real hard for Islam to get him down. But, again, Islam’s grappling, wrestling, into grappling and control is elite. He’s got a real, real good understanding of mechanics, that awareness of where body and weight is,” said Volkanovski.

Turning his attention to what Makhachev brings to the table, Volkanovski pointed out his grappling awareness and submission prowess.

“He’s got some wicked chokes, very, very strong grips,” said the featherweight champion. “But it’s that elite control, elite manipulation, that body awareness and the mechanics. Knowing where he needs to be, knowing where his opponent needs to be and just aways improving his position while nullifying his opponent’s position. That’s your elite grappler.”

“It’s simple, right? Jack is great on the ground, but we don’t want it to go to the ground, Even though Jack is good there, that’s Islam’s world,” continued Volkanovski. “Jack needs to keep it on the feet, and that’s what he wants.”

“I’m going Jack Della Maddalena,” Volkanovski predicted. “Can he get a finish? Of course he can. Of course he can. I think Islam is good enough to survive, though, when he gets hurt. … Decision win is definitely looking pretty good here, but a finish is definitely there.”