Jack Della Maddalena isn’t just defending his UFC welterweight title — he’s defending his division’s honor. As he prepares to face Islam Makhachev in the UFC 322 main event, the Australian champion says he’s ready to show that the lightweight king doesn’t belong among the 170-pound elite.
For Della Maddalena, the storyline almost writes itself. Makhachev once criticized the idea of fighting smaller men, like Ilia Topuria, claiming such wins wouldn’t add to his legacy. Now, the roles are reversed — and Della Maddalena wants to send the Dagestani star back to lightweight.
“I’m sort of hoping for that narrative,” Della Maddalena told MMA Fighting. “That means I’ve done my job and put him back in his place. I’m hoping the headlines say he’s just a lightweight who doesn’t belong at welterweight.”
Despite that, Della Maddalena admits Makhachev’s résumé makes him a worthy challenger. With 15 straight wins and multiple title defenses, Makhachev has earned the right to chase double-champion status.
“It’s a hard one because obviously he hasn’t done anything in the welterweight division, but his résumé is very respectable,” Della Maddalena said. “He’s cleared out the lightweight division and deserves this shot. It’s a big challenge — the biggest of my career.”
The Australian champion knows that many are labeling the fight as striker vs. grappler — his sharp boxing against Makhachev’s relentless wrestling. But Della Maddalena insists he’s far more than just a striker.
He’s showcased improved grappling over recent fights, especially when he stopped Gilbert Burns in the third round and neutralized Belal Muhammad’s wrestling to win the title. Still, he understands the key to victory may be simple: keep it standing and land clean.
“A perfect fight for me would be to keep him on the outside, ping him, and get the finish,” Della Maddalena said. “But the competitor in me wants to test it — to see how I can hang with someone like Islam. Still, ideally, I keep him off me and outclass him on the feet.”
Even as the reigning champion, Della Maddalena walks into Madison Square Garden as the betting underdog — a position he actually enjoys.
“I feel like I’ve got the underdog mentality,” he said. “I like it that way. It gives me more motivation to prove I’m the real champion and solidify my spot as the top guy.”
Whether Makhachev makes history or Della Maddalena “puts him back in his place,” UFC 322 promises one of the most intriguing title fights of the year — a true clash of styles and legacies.
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