Overview
- The welterweight title fight is scheduled for Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden, with Islam Makhachev moving up to 170 pounds as the betting favorite.
- Coach Ben Vickers says the matchup could be "easier" than Belal Muhammad stylistically, describing Makhachev as a more traditional striker who is not on Della Maddalena’s level on the feet.
- Vickers cautions that Makhachev is the greater submission threat but argues many of his stoppages came against smaller opponents and that Della Maddalena is difficult to submit.
- The champion’s camp points to uncertainty over how added size will affect Makhachev’s five-round cardio given his lack of competitive bouts at welterweight.
- Jones publicized a social-media note he says came from McGregor predicting Della Maddalena would handle Makhachev, a message widely shared but not independently verified.