In a recent interview with Full Violence, Charles Oliveira made a bold statement about the upcoming fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. Oliveira stated, “If you let Islam grab him and put him down, it’s over.” These words seem to echo the thoughts of many fans and experts who believe that Della Maddalena is facing an insurmountable challenge in his fight against Makhachev. But amidst all the doubt and speculation, one man is standing firmly in Della Maddalena’s corner – former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.
The news of Della Maddalena stepping into the cage with Makhachev has been met with mixed reactions from the MMA community. Many have already written off Della Maddalena, citing Makhachev’s impressive record and dominant fighting style. However, Holloway, who has faced and defeated some of the toughest opponents in the UFC, has a different take on the situation.
In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Holloway warned fans not to underestimate Della Maddalena. “People are counting him out already, but they forget that this is the UFC, anything can happen,” he said. The former champion went on to emphasize that Della Maddalena is a skilled and determined fighter who should not be underestimated.
It is not surprising that Holloway has shown such strong support for Della Maddalena. After all, the two fighters have a close relationship, having trained together at the famous Gracie Technics gym in Honolulu, Hawaii. In fact, it was Della Maddalena who introduced Holloway to Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that has become an integral part of the former champion’s fighting style.
Moreover, Holloway has had his own experience of being written off by critics before a fight. In his first bout with Jose Aldo, Holloway was considered the underdog, yet he emerged victorious with a spectacular third-round TKO. He also proved his doubters wrong in his rematch with Aldo, defeating him in the third round once again. With this in mind, Holloway believes that Della Maddalena has the ability to do the same.
But it is not just Holloway’s words that give hope to Della Maddalena and his fans. Even though Makhachev is on an impressive eight-fight win streak, Della Maddalena is not a pushover. The Australian fighter has an impressive record himself, with nine wins and only one loss in his professional career. He is also known for his striking ability and has won five of his fights by knockout.
Della Maddalena’s camp is also confident that their fighter has what it takes to overcome Makhachev. His coach, Renato Canuto, has stated in an interview with MMA Fighting that they have a specific game plan in place to deal with Makhachev’s grappling skills. Canuto also highlighted Della Maddalena’s resilience and determination, stating that he is ready for this tough challenge.
There is no denying that Makhachev is a formidable opponent. However, it is important not to forget the unpredictable nature of the UFC. Della Maddalena has shown that he is a skilled fighter with the heart of a champion. He is also backed by a supportive team and a close friend who believes in his abilities. With all these factors in place, it would be unwise to write off Della Maddalena’s chances of defeating Makhachev.
In conclusion, while many may see Jack Della Maddalena as the underdog in his upcoming fight with Islam Makhachev, there is no reason to believe that he does not stand a chance. Max Holloway, along with many others, believes that Della Maddalena has what it takes to pull off a surprise victory. And with his own determination and the support of his team, Della Maddalena is ready to prove his critics wrong in UFC 318.
