Jack Della Maddalena entered UFC 322 with high expectations and the welterweight title around his waist. But after 25 minutes with Islam Makhachev, he walked out of Madison Square Garden defeated, frustrated, and visibly shaken. While Della Maddalena survived to the final bell, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman believes he saw the exact moment when the Australian started to mentally break.
Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman analyzed the champion’s demeanor during the fight. He highlighted a specific moment when Makhachev secured a double-leg takedown and completely neutralized Della Maddalena’s movement.
“You see that face that JDM had right there? There is that face when Islam gets that double. There is that face of, ‘I am trying to fight, but this dude will not let me.’ That right there is when you start to break,” Usman explained.
Throughout the main event, Makhachev dominated using relentless takedowns and suffocating top control. Della Maddalena, known for his striking and head movement, had almost no opportunity to showcase his stand-up skills. Instead, he found himself stuck under the former lightweight champion, who accumulated an incredible 19 minutes of control time.
Many had anticipated that JDM might replicate his performance against Belal Muhammad, where he stopped takedowns and kept the fight standing. However, Makhachev’s wrestling proved too efficient, and any hope for a striking battle faded quickly as the rounds went on.
Usman further praised Makhachev’s ability to neutralize dangerous strikers in the welterweight division. He compared the strategy to his own past fights, noting that certain fighters are nearly unstoppable when they control distance and grappling.
“We are able to float on these guys. We are able to stay a step ahead of them while they try to scramble. Islam did exactly that,” Usman added.
Usman also mentioned other rising welterweights like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, suggesting that while they are talented strikers, they remain untested against elite grapplers who can stifle their offense.
Despite his struggles, Usman did not fully agree with the idea that Della Maddalena completely broke. He acknowledged that while the champion bent under pressure, he still kept fighting and did not give up.
“I give JDM credit,” Usman said. “You can bend him. But I have not seen him fully break. To break is to give up your back or surrender to get out of the fight. He did not do that.”
Whether he bent or broke, one thing is now clear. Islam Makhachev is the new welterweight champion, and Jack Della Maddalena is left searching for answers after the most difficult night of his career.
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