Jack Della Maddalena, UFC 322 media day interview

NEW YORK – UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena sees his showdown with Islam Makhachev for what it is.

"Massive legacy fight," Della Maddalena told MMA Junkie and other reporters during UFC 322 media day on Wednesday.

Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) looks to defend his belt for the first time against Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), who vacated the lightweight title for a chance to become a UFC two-division champion. Della Maddalena claimed the 170-pound title with a unanimous decision win over then-champ Belal Muhammad. To do it, Della Maddalena did what many pundits believe he will have to do against Makhachev: fend off takedowns.

While Della Maddalena acknowledges that Muhammad was a "good test" that helped him prepare for Makhachev's similar style of fighting, he doesn't expect things to go exactly the same. Della Maddalena expects to get taken down but knows it's what he does afterward that could make all the difference.

"Going in there five rounds with Islam, you've got to expect to at least hit the ground at some point," Della Maddalena said. "He's battle tested, he's been in there against some of the best guys, so expect to hit the ground, but it's what you can do with that. Obviously perfect world, we'd keep him away and not hit the ground. But we expect a full mixed martial arts battle."

Della Madalena, who hasn't lost since his second professional fight in May 2016, has rattled off 18 wins in a row, including all eight of his UFC appearances since 2022. For as impressive as Makhachev has been during a 15-fight winning streak of his own, he's appeared to slow down in later rounds against both Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier.

Della Maddalena said he spoke "in-depth" with his friend and teammate, Volkanovski, to formulate a game plan with his coaches that he feels good about. He's ready to rise to the occasion as a champion underdog.

"I'm super excited," Della Maddalena said. "It's obviously a big challenge, one of the best fighters ever in the UFC, so I look forward to testing myself against him."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jack Della Maddalena prepared for 'full mixed martial arts battle' with Islam Makhachev

Reporting by Simon Samano and Ken Hathaway, MMA Junkie / MMA Junkie

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