Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev, Classic Striker vs. Grappler Matchup, right?
That’s not how Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendes sees it.
In an interview with Submitted radioMendes was asked about the recent comments Della Madrena made about the simpler Makhachev stand-up game compared to Beral Muhammad’s stand-up game. Della Maddalena defeated Muhammad to win the welterweight championship at UFC 315, defending that title against Makhachev at UFC 322 on November 15th at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Mendes is not plagued by Della Madarena’s rating, especially when the champion maintains that energy on battle night.
“If he’s saying that, I hope you believe that when he gets there with Islam, you’ll find a completely different story,” Mendes said. “I’m sorry, but they’re completely different. Islam is never easy for anyone in stand-up. The MMA fighter, a striker, doesn’t spend any easy time with him. I watch him destroy everyone in stand-up with this kid.
“Don’t go through what you saw. When you get there with that guy, it’s a completely different ball game.”
Della Maddalena has been in tears since the start of 0-2, not excited about his professional career. He won 18 consecutive fights. The 12 knockouts saw three consecutive first-round TKOs launch UFC runs, including a dramatic third finish from longtime candidate Gilbert Burns.
In the main event of UFC 315, Mendes, who has been given an impressive qualification after Dera Madalena won a fierce battle of interaction with Muhammad, treats “JDM” with the utmost respect.
“He’s hit so well,” Mendes said. “It’s very diverse and he’s very powerful on every strike. He can hurt you with anything. He can hurt you with kicks, knees, left hooks, right hand, right uppercuts, left hooks. That’s worse for someone.
“He’s not a type 1 guy. He’s a type 1-2-3-4, then he’s back again in the re-chamber and he switches styles as he punches you.
Mendes has great respect for Della Maddalena and he is very much respectful of what he claims to do something he has never done before. In particular, Mendes reviews how Della Madrena retreated Muhammad, a friend and training partner of Makhachev and his teammates.
“I’ve already seen it twice, and I’ve seen the whole battle. “He’s a legitimate competitor. I know I have the best pound-pound fighter in my mind, but we still need to be on top to stay on top. We need to respect someone like Jack and respect him by giving him every ounce of my energy how good he is and what he needs to do to ensure he doesn’t allow his strength to overcome our potential weaknesses.