How will Jack Della Maddalena fare against a champion boxer like Islam Makhachev?

 The UFC world is buzzing with anticipation as Jack Della Maddalena prepares to defend his welterweight belt for the first time at UFC 322. His opponent? None other than Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champion who has dominated some of the biggest names in MMA.

For many fans, this matchup feels like a clash of styles: the crisp, powerful boxing of Jack Della Maddalena against the suffocating grappling and Sambo-based control game of Islam Makhachev. But the question remains—how can Jack overcome a champion whose ground game has humbled nearly everyone he’s faced?

The answer may lie in one name: Craig Jones.

Jack Della Maddalena’s Meteoric Rise

From Local Talent to UFC Contender

Jack Della Maddalena’s journey from fighting in local Australian promotions to becoming a UFC champion is nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his relentless pressure, sharp boxing combinations, and ability to adapt mid-fight, Jack quickly became a fan favorite.

His victories over seasoned contenders like Randy Brown and Kevin Holland showcased not only his striking accuracy but also his composure under fire. By the time he captured UFC gold, Jack had already established himself as one of the most dangerous welterweights on the planet.

The Style That Defines Him

What sets Jack apart is his striking style:

• Constant forward pressure that forces opponents into uncomfortable exchanges.

• Boxing precision, with crisp jabs, body shots, and hooks that wear down even the toughest competitors.

• Composure in chaos, allowing him to make smart decisions when fights get messy.

But against Islam Makhachev, the challenge is far more complex. Makhachev doesn’t trade recklessly. Instead, he drags opponents into his world—a grappling-heavy battle where he dictates the pace, the position, and the outcome.

The Islam Makhachev Challenge

The Reign of a Grappling Maestro

Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as one of the most dominant fighters in modern MMA. Following in the footsteps of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has built his legacy on elite grappling, suffocating top control, and relentless pressure.

Key strengths of Islam Makhachev include:

• World-class Sambo base, making him nearly impossible to out-grapple.

• Smothering top pressure, allowing him to neutralize even the best strikers.

• Underrated striking, with a sharp left hand and solid defense.

His victories over Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, and others cemented his place as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

The Problem for Jack

Makhachev’s skill set poses unique threats to a striker like Jack Della Maddalena. If Jack allows himself to be taken down and controlled, his boxing will become irrelevant. To win, he must do what very few have done—neutralize Makhachev’s grappling and find a way to land significant strikes.

Enter Craig Jones: The Secret Weapon

Who Is Craig Jones?

For those unfamiliar, Craig Jones is one of the most celebrated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world. Known for his leg lock game, submission creativity, and ability to adapt techniques for MMA, Jones has earned global respect.

He has defeated BJJ legends such as Leandro Lo and Felipe Pena, and more importantly, he has extensive experience preparing MMA fighters to deal with elite wrestlers and grapplers.

Why Craig Jones Matters for Jack

Jack Della Maddalena’s camp made a strategic decision by bringing in Craig Jones. According to his coach Ben Vickers, Craig’s role is to sharpen Jack’s defensive grappling, improve submission awareness, and create counters against top control pressure.

Craig himself has claimed to be the “second-best grappler in the world.” While said with humor, it reflects his elite standing. More crucially, he was part of Alexander Volkanovski’s camp against Islam Makhachev. In that fight, Volkanovski gave Makhachev one of the toughest tests of his career—an encouraging sign for Jack.

Building the Blueprint: How Jack Can Beat Islam

Mastering Takedown Defense

The first and most obvious key is stopping the takedown. Islam’s game revolves around taking fights to the mat. Jack doesn’t need to stuff every single attempt, but he must force Islam to work harder than usual.

Techniques emphasized in training with Craig Jones include:

• Underhook battles to prevent level changes.

• Hip positioning drills to sprawl effectively.

• Wall-walking escapes to get back up quickly after takedowns.

Threatening with Submissions

Most fighters facing Islam play defense only. But Craig Jones may equip Jack with offensive submission threats from the bottom. Even if Jack doesn’t finish a submission, making Islam defend could create scrambles and striking opportunities.

Possible weapons:

• Guillotine choke when Islam shoots.

• Leg locks—a Jones specialty—that can catch grapplers off guard.

• Triangle setups to force Islam into defensive shells.

Boxing in Transition

Jack’s boxing shines when opponents are forced to strike. To beat Islam, he must attack during transitions—the brief moments when Islam is moving between striking and grappling.

• When Islam closes distance: sharp uppercuts and body shots.

• When breaking free from clinches: quick combinations before resetting.

• In scrambles: short hooks that can disrupt Islam’s rhythm.

Cardio and Composure

Perhaps the most underrated key is endurance. Makhachev thrives on breaking fighters mentally. Jack must prepare for five grueling rounds, maintaining composure even when dragged to the mat. With Craig Jones refining his grappling defense, Jack’s confidence in surviving bad positions could prove decisive.

Lessons from Volkanovski

Craig Jones’ experience with Alexander Volkanovski is vital. In their first fight, Volkanovski showed that Islam is not untouchable. He defended takedowns better than most, landed ground-and-pound from top position, and nearly stole a decision.

Jack can learn three critical lessons from Volkanovski:

1. Patience in grappling exchanges—don’t panic when taken down.

2. Strike aggressively when free—maximize every second on the feet.

3. Mix defensive and offensive grappling—force Islam into uncomfortable scenarios.

What Experts Are Saying

The MMA world is divided on whether Jack can pull off the upset.

• Din Thomas, a respected analyst and former UFC fighter, boldly predicted that Jack would beat Islam, stating: “Craig Jones is the answer.”

• Many analysts agree that while Jack is the underdog, his striking style and Craig’s influence could create the perfect storm.

• Critics argue that Islam’s experience, strength, and championship mentality are too much for Jack to handle.

This debate only fuels excitement for UFC 322.

The Mental Game

Beyond the physical matchup, the psychological battle will be huge. Jack enters as the less experienced fighter on the world stage, while Islam carries the aura of a dominant champion.

Key factors:

• Pressure of defending a title for the first time.

• Staying composed when Islam inevitably scores takedowns.

• Belief in preparation—trusting Craig Jones and his team to provide the tools for victory.

Possible Outcomes

Islam Makhachev Dominates

If Jack cannot stop the takedowns, Islam could repeat the story of many past fights—dragging the contest to the ground, controlling positions, and either submitting Jack or winning a lopsided decision.

Jack Lands the Big Shot

Jack’s best chance lies in striking exchanges. If he can stuff enough takedowns and land clean boxing combinations, there is a real possibility of knocking Islam out. His body shots, in particular, could be game-changers against a grappler constantly lowering levels.

A Back-and-Forth War

The most exciting possibility is a fight where both men have moments—Islam landing takedowns, Jack defending and firing back with strikes. Such a contest would test both fighters’ endurance and mental toughness, possibly leading to a late finish or razor-close decision.

Broader Implications for the UFC

This fight isn’t just about Jack and Islam—it’s about the future of two divisions.

• If Jack wins, he cements himself as one of the UFC’s brightest stars and possibly opens the door to superfights against names like Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, or even Colby Covington.

• If Islam wins, he proves his dominance extends beyond lightweight, potentially setting up legacy-defining fights across weight classes.

Conclusion

The clash between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 is more than just a title fight—it’s a test of styles, preparation, and belief.

Jack’s path to victory may not be easy, but with the help of Craig Jones, he has built the tools to at least neutralize Islam’s grappling and create striking opportunities. Whether that will be enough remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: this matchup has all the ingredients of a classic. A rising star defending his throne against a proven champion. A striker vs. grappler dynamic enhanced by world-class preparation. And a fanbase eager to witness whether Jack Della Maddalena can shock the MMA world.

At UFC 322, we will finally get the answer.