Overview
- Jack Della Maddalena defends the welterweight title against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the UFC 322 main event on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden.
- Coach Ben Vickers says Belal Muhammad’s unorthodox approach was tougher to solve, calling Makhachev a more traditional striker who is not on the champion’s level on the feet.
- Vickers highlights that Makhachev has not previously competed at welterweight and raises uncertainty about whether added weight will help power or hinder cardio over a championship distance.
- He acknowledges Makhachev as a greater finishing threat on the ground because of his submissions but maintains Della Maddalena is difficult to submit and ready for grappling sequences.
- Makhachev enters as the betting favorite and carries top pound-for-pound credentials, as his coach Javier Mendez warns opponents underestimate his striking until they share the cage.