Even though Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as one of the UFC`s most dominant wrestlers and grapplers, surprisingly, a longtime teammate has suggested he focus on improving this specific aspect of his skillset.
Last week brought the unexpected news that Islam Makhachev has relinquished his lightweight championship to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt.
Before the UFC 315 main event, Makhachev indicated that the outcome of that fight would shape his future plans. As Jack Della Maddalena decisively won that bout and claimed the title, he is now Makhachev`s declared next opponent.
Immediately after Della Maddalena`s victory, Makhachev issued a challenging message, initiating the rivalry between the two fighters.
Longtime Teammate Advises Makhachev to Improve Wrestling for Della Maddalena Bout
A date for the welterweight title showdown between Islam Makhachev and the new champion has not been officially confirmed, though reports suggest it could take place at the UFC`s event in Abu Dhabi in October.
A key factor in Della Maddalena`s impressive win over Belal Muhammad was his exceptional takedown defense, successfully stopping most of Muhammad`s attempts.
This strong defensive performance has led Daniel Cormier, Makhachev`s longtime friend and training partner, to urge him to refine his wrestling skills, even given Makhachev`s established dominance in the area.
Discussing the potential matchup on a recent podcast, Cormier commented, “Islam vs Jack is going to be a great fight, particularly after witnessing Jack`s takedown defense. Islam also faced some difficulty taking down Dustin Poirier.”
Cormier added, “He didn`t get him down as easily as he has others. Therefore, I believe Makhachev must really concentrate on preparing his wrestling to face someone like Jack Della Maddalena, who demonstrated excellent takedown defense and possesses strong boxing skills, particularly in close range.”
Makhachev Showcased Striking Prowess with Devastating KO of Volkanovski
While Della Maddalena, the Australian fighter, is often seen as having the edge in striking for this matchup, Makhachev has repeatedly demonstrated elite-level striking capabilities throughout his UFC career.
This was powerfully illustrated in his rematch against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294, where he secured a devastating first-round head kick knockout.
Della Maddalena`s striking relies heavily on his boxing, while Makhachev effectively integrates kicks into his offense and utilizes a strong Thai clinch.
Rupert Hartwell