Jack Della Maddalena: "Makhachev Is Just Too Small, I Can Do Better Than Volk"

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The world of UFC thrives on bold claims, and Jack Della Maddalena has just added more fuel to the fire. With Islam Makhachev eyeing a possible move to welterweight, the Australian knockout artist has thrown down the gauntlet, insisting that the reigning lightweight champion won’t have the size or power to survive in the 170-pound division.

Let’s break down what this challenge means for both fighters, and why Della Maddalena believes he can do what Alexander Volkanovski couldn’t finish.

Jack Della Maddalena: Riding a Meteoric Rise

Jack Della Maddalena has been one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC welterweight division. Known for his crisp boxing, relentless forward pressure, and brutal finishing ability, the Australian has carved through the ranks with clinical precision.

His recent victories over the likes of Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady have established him as a legitimate title contender. But now, Maddalena has his eyes set on an even bigger scalp: Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king of the lightweights.

Islam Makhachev’s Lightweight Dominance and Volkanovski Challenge

No one can question Islam Makhachev’s dominance at lightweight. With a suffocating wrestling style and ever-improving striking, he has shut down elite opposition including Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Beneil Dariush.

However, his two close fights with Alexander Volkanovski, a featherweight moving up two divisions, exposed some cracks in his armor. Volkanovski was able to neutralize Makhachev’s wrestling at times and land clean shots on the feet.

This, according to Della Maddalena, proves a key point:

“We saw what Volk did to him. I’m gonna get him. He’s too little.”

Size Matters at Welterweight

The leap from lightweight (155 lbs) to welterweight (170 lbs) is not just a matter of numbers—it’s a jump in physicality. Fighters like Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards possess a level of strength and durability that’s rare at lightweight.

Jack Della Maddalena, who walks around well above the welterweight limit, believes Makhachev simply won’t be able to hang with the bigger bodies of the division:

“He’s a great fighter, no doubt. But at welterweight, size matters. Volk was smaller and still gave him hell. I’m a natural welterweight. I’ll break him.”

Confidence or Overconfidence?

Some critics have questioned whether Jack Della Maddalena is getting ahead of himself. Islam Makhachev remains one of the most technically proficient fighters on the planet. His grappling game has dismantled larger fighters in training, and his fight IQ is second to none.

But Maddalena’s confidence isn’t blind. He points to his relentless pace, knockout power, and iron chin as factors that would overwhelm the Dagestani champion in deeper waters.

Volkanovski’s Blueprint: Can It Work for Maddalena?

Volkanovski’s strategy was built on three pillars:

Constant movement to avoid takedowns.
Short, sharp boxing combinations.
Gritty scrambling to escape bad positions.

Maddalena believes he can use a similar strategy but with more physicality. He isn’t looking to edge out Makhachev over five rounds. He wants to finish him:

“Volk had to be careful because he was smaller. I don’t need to be. I’m walking him down, breaking him in the clinch, and putting him out.”

The Grappling Puzzle

But it’s not all sunshine and knockouts. Islam Makhachev’s grappling remains an unsolved puzzle for most fighters. If he gets top position, his pressure and positional control are suffocating.

Can Maddalena stop the takedown? So far, his defensive wrestling has been solid, but he hasn’t faced someone with Makhachev’s caliber of chain wrestling and judo trips.

This will be the fight’s biggest question mark.

Is Makhachev Actually Moving Up?

Islam Makhachev has flirted with the idea of moving to welterweight but has not committed. His dream fight remains a shot at the double champ status—likely against someone like Leon Edwards or Belal Muhammad.

A fight with Jack Della Maddalena may not have the same prestige but could be a legacy-defining bout if Makhachev wants to silence doubters who think he can’t hang at 170.

Welterweight Division Reaction

The welterweight elite have taken notice of Jack’s challenge. Fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Belal Muhammad, and even Colby Covington have thrown subtle jabs at the idea of a lightweight contender skipping the queue.

But Maddalena doesn’t care about rankings:

“If Islam wants to come up, I’ll welcome him with fists. If not, I’ll keep smashing whoever they put in front of me until I get my title shot.”

Fans Divided on the Potential Clash

On social media, fans are split. Some see Makhachev’s elite wrestling as enough to dominate Maddalena. Others point to the Australian’s size and striking as the kryptonite for the Dagestani champion.

Debates rage on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram, where fight fans are already creating dream posters for the potential showdown.

Coach and Training Camp Reactions

Maddalena’s coach, Ben Vickers, has supported the callout but emphasized they won’t overlook the grappling threat:

“We respect what Islam brings. He’s pound-for-pound for a reason. But Jack has the tools to beat him. We’ll prepare for everything.”

Meanwhile, sources close to Makhachev’s team in Dagestan have reportedly brushed off the challenge as noise, focusing instead on lightweight defenses or a potential clash with Leon Edwards.

What’s Next? The UFC’s Role in Making This Fight

Dana White and the UFC matchmakers have yet to comment publicly on this callout. With the UFC 325 and UFC 326 cards beginning to take shape, a Maddalena vs. Makhachev fight could headline a pay-per-view later this year.

If Islam wants to test welterweight before a title shot, Jack Della Maddalena could be the perfect measuring stick.

Jack’s Message Is Clear: “He’s Too Little.”

Maddalena’s assessment is brutally simple: Islam Makhachev is an undersized lightweight who won’t survive a firefight at welterweight.

He’s not talking about a tactical, cautious fight. He’s talking about dragging Makhachev into a war of attrition—where only the bigger, stronger, and meaner man survives.

What the Experts Are Saying

Michael Bisping: “Interesting matchup. I wouldn’t write Makhachev off, but size and power could be an issue.”
Daniel Cormier: “Islam’s grappling is different. Jack’s good, but this is a tough ask.”
Chael Sonnen: “Jack has the attitude, but we haven’t seen anyone walk through Islam yet. It’s a dangerous fight for both.”

Final Thoughts: Will Makhachev Accept the Challenge?

The combat sports world loves bold statements, and Jack Della Maddalena’s latest comments have certainly delivered that. Whether or not the fight happens depends on Islam Makhachev’s ambitions.

If he stays at lightweight, Jack will likely continue his march toward the welterweight belt. If Islam wants to prove he can conquer another division, Jack Della Maddalena stands ready.