Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya believes Jack Della Maddalena will knock Islam Makhachev out in the main event of UFC 322.
On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev. While Islam is considered to be the favorite by many, JDM has been on an incredible run in the last few years, culminating in him defeating Belal Muhammad to become the new champion at 170 pounds.
Of course, Jack Della Maddalena himself will likely admit that this is one of the toughest tests available in the welterweight division, and that he will have to be at the top of his game if he's going to come out with the victory.
In a recent video, Israel Adesanya backed Jack Della Maddalena to get the job done in New York City.
Israel Adesanya’s prediction for Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev
"I'm not trying to count Islam out, but I just know Jack. I know that when Jack keeps getting up, it's going to be a problem," Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. "Islam's going to be forced to strike, and when he's forced to strike with Jack, he's going to get hurt. I think Islam's the best of the Dagestanis, one of the best fighters in history, one of the most efficient, but even Dustin was able to get up and stop his submissions, and Dustin's a f*cking gun.
"I've seen it live what Volkanovski can do with Islam when they were in Perth. That's why I know he's going to hurt Islam. Jack Della, I don't see him getting hurt, I've never seen him get stopped. ...I do think Islam will be able to get him down, but for how long? Not for long. He's going to get stuffed from the beginning, in the middle, until Jack ends it."
"I really think Jack Della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam's game and just put it on the feet, and knock him out," Adesanya said. "Might be second round, might be third, but we'll see."
Quotes via MMA Junkie