When MMA bogeyman Islam Makhachev steps into the Octagon at UFC 322 to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, he says he’s bringing a very different version of himself — and it’s bad news for the Aussie.
Makhachev, who held the UFC lightweight crown before giving it up to move up to 170 pounds, has opened up about how the grueling cut to lightweight has hindered his performance throughout his career.
UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev | SUN 16 NOV 2PM AEDT | Australia’s own Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Pound for Pound great and former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster night of fights, live from New York City | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
“No one who cuts, like, 10 kg, more than 10 kg, they never recover 100 per cent,” he told ESPN ahead of the blockbuster showdown on November 15.
“I still feel I recover for the fight, like, maybe 70, 60 percent, because it’s so hard to recover in 30 hours.
“Now, I’m very excited to see how I’m going to feel in the cage.”
This is a staggering claim considering the Dagestani destroyer’s resume – which includes a 15-fight win streak and an incredible five consecutive lightweight title defenses.
The 34-year-old, who hasn’t lost a fight since 2015, has beaten the likes of Alex Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier – all while, he claims, fighting in a diminished state.
Makhachev says his new physical edge will be on full display in the later rounds against Della Maddalena.
“Let’s see after the second round, if it happens,” Makhachev said.
“After the second round, after the third round, like champion’s rounds. Let’s see because I already feel it in the camp.
“How is my recovery, how is my feeling after the third round? I think it’s going to be something new for me.”
Another detail that could worry Aussie fight fans is Makhachev’s recent reveal that he is using creatine supplements for the first time in his career.
Creatine, one of the most well-researched supplements on the market, can help fighters become stronger, faster and more explosive.
“I’m using creatine for the first time in my life, almost every day,” he said.
“It’s the first supplement where I actually see real changes. It helps with recovery, helps gain weight, gives strength.”
Coach and UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov will once again be in Makhachev’s corner for the fight.
Nurmagomedov, who was known for his dominant grappling and suffocating ground control, has instructed Makhachev to take the Aussie to the canvas when they clash.
“It’s not a secret,” Makhachev said.
“[Nurmagomedov] told me take him down, try to take him down and make him tired. I think I can finish him on the ground. I can choke him, do an armbar, something.
“I saw his skills on the ground. He’s good, but I have something more.”
Della Maddalena is very much aware of the threat that Makhachev poses – and recently welcomed into his camp the one man who has pushed the former champ the hardest: Alex Volkanovski.
Fox Sports Australia revealed last month that Volk and Australian BJJ star Craig Jones jetted to Western Australia to assist JDM’s team for the upcoming bout.
Della Maddalena’s head coach Ben Vickers dubbed the pair the ‘Dream Team’ and said they have given his fighter even more confidence.
“I have no doubt about Jack’s skill set,’ Vickers said.
“And now with those extra skills and confidence Jack is going to pick up over the next four days with Volk, and then next four weeks with Craig, it means he will be the very best he can be leading into this fight.”
Speaking on Submission Radio last month, Volkanovski insisted JDM has all the tools required to spoil Makhachev’s debut at welterweight.
“You can’t doubt him,” Volkanovski warned.
“Jack’s a welterweight, and [against] Belal, a grappler-wrestler, look at how he handled that.
“He’s [already] a beast on the feet, and I guarantee you from that fight, his confidence in grappling and takedown defence has just gone to a whole other level.
“He’s going to be an absolute nightmare.
“JDM – he’s a weapon.
“I know that Islam is not taking this one lightly, and he shouldn’t.”
Former UFC middleweight champ Rob Whittaker also believes Della Maddalena will pull off the upset.
“I’m going to go [with] Jack,” Whittaker said on his podcast.
“I think Jack has that x-factor. I think he has the guts, the grit, the determination to fight the takedowns. To fight the ground, to fight the takedown attacks that Islam is going to go for. And I think in a striking fight, straight up, Jack is better. I think he wins in the hands.
“I think Jack has the better game to strike over five rounds than Islam does, as well, especially if Islam is trying to go for takedowns during the fight.”