Overview
- Della Maddalena, preparing with grappling coach Craig Jones, says he expects to disrupt Makhachev’s wrestling and keep large portions of the fight standing.
- The welterweight title bout headlines UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden after Makhachev vacated the lightweight belt to move to 170 pounds.
- Belal Muhammad, who lost the belt to Della Maddalena and has trained with Makhachev, predicts the challenger wins if it hits the ground and warns JDM against positional lapses.
- Ex-teammate Josh Thomson and manager Ali Abdelaziz dismiss cardio concerns for Makhachev at welterweight, citing a lighter weight cut and improved strength and health.
- Fan reaction is sharply divided, and Paddy Pimblett publicly backs Della Maddalena to outbox Makhachev while taking verbal shots at the former lightweight champion.