Israel Adesanya believes Jack Della Maddalena is going to pull off the upset this weekend.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, \u201cJDM\u201d defends his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 322. It\u2019s the biggest fight of Della Maddalena\u2019s career, but one his friend, Adesanya, believes he\u2019s well-suited for.<\/p>\n
\u201cJack, just a technical beast,\u201d Adesanya said on his YouTube channel<\/a>. \u201cI say technical beast because he fights like a beast but he\u2019s got such good technique. His boxing is second to none, good kickboxing as well, but his hands are where the money is. \u2026 This guy just knows how to work when it comes to these guys, the grapplers. And he\u2019s not scared for a fight. \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think Jack, in this fight with Islam, he\u2019s going to have to do what he did [against Belal Muhammad]. Do what he did, but better. Just overwhelm him with punishment on the feet, and then when he shoots \u2014 because he has to shoot, Islam\u2019s not going to want to stand with Jack. He\u2018s going to stand with him, but he\u2019s going to realize, \u2018I need to shoot, because this is where I\u2019m supposed to win, or I\u2019m better at, supposedly.\u2019 And then he can\u2019t keep Jack down, and when he can\u2019t keep Jack down, he\u2019ll realize, \u2018Oh, shit.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Makhachev is the former lightweight champion who set the record for most UFC lightweight title defenses earlier this year. As such, Makhachev is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, and so Adesanya knows he\u2019s not without weapons, but he believes they won\u2019t be enough.<\/p>\n \u201cI think striking-wise, Islam can definitely leg kick, he can definitely jab him, but I don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to hurt him,\u201d Adesanya said. \u201cI think Islam will use his striking to get close, keep him guessing, and then shoot, because that\u2019s where Islam feels like he\u2019s the most dangerous in this fight.<\/p>\n \u201cBut when Jack keeps getting up, I\u2019m not trying to count Islam out, but I know Jack. I know when Jack keeps getting up, it\u2019s going to be a problem, and Islam\u2019s going to be forced to strike, and when he\u2019s forced to strike with Jack, he\u2019s going to get hurt. That\u2019s where I\u2019m at in this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n And as for when this might happen? Adesanya thinks the welterweight champion is going to make it a short evening on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this fight, not just because it\u2019s ANZAC united, I really think that Jack Della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam\u2019s game, and be able to put it on the feet and knock him out,\u201d Adesanya said. \u201cMight be second round, might be third, but we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n Callout. Alex Pereira responds to Khamzat Chimaev challenge with surprising offer<\/a>; Chimaev responds.<\/p>\n Usman. Islam Makhachev explains why he wants<\/a> Kamaru Usman next, addresses potential fight with Ilia Topuria.<\/p>\n Eagle. \u2018It was my vacation\u2019: Khabib Nurmagomedov reflects on heated Conor McGregor win, jumping over the cage<\/a> at UFC 229.<\/p>\n Defense. Valentina Shevchenko defends \u2018true martial artist\u2019<\/a> Joe Rogan amid Ronda Rousey criticism.<\/p>\n Want. \u2018I want the title\u2019<\/a>: Kamaru Usman explains why he should get winner of UFC 322 main event.<\/p>\n Lumps. Bo Nickal responds to criticism<\/a> after first career loss, getting bumped down to UFC 322 prelims.<\/p>\n Volk breaks down UFC 322.<\/p>\n This is some kind of video.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n Jon Jones showing all the enthusiasm of a wet noodle in this promo video.<\/p>\n Carlos Prates with custom wheels.<\/p>\n It\u2019s good to have goals.<\/p>\n I will believe this when they are in the ring and not a moment before.<\/p>\n Just two more sleeps. I am unreasonably excited for this card. Cannot wait for Saturday.<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n