UFC’s terrifying bogeyman slayed Volk… twice. This is the blueprint for Aussie revenge

So you ask Jack Della Maddalena how he does what Volk couldn’t?

And twice.

Understanding how when he walks out into New York’s famed Madison Square Garden next Sunday, Australia’s newest combat star isn’t only headlining UFC 322, or defending welterweight gold for the first time, but facing … gasp … Islam Makhachev.

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.

Aka, The Dagestani Bogeyman.

A fighter who is now here after vacating his UFC lightweight crown; and following a reign which includes, you likely know, beating the legendary ‘Volk’ not once, but twice – including via KO.

Yet speaking with Fox Sports Australia from his New York base this week, JDM insists ‘Volk’ has been given the blueprint to beating Makhachev – thanks not only to that contentious decision loss at UFC 284, but several gym sessions the pair have shared since.

Maddalena also stresses, however, that Makhachev will be more dangerous in his move up a division than at any time during his famed UFC lightweight reign.

Elsewhere, the Perth fighter’s chief sparring partner, and older brother Josh, has also unveiled why the 29-year-old is set to once again shock the world, and only six months after dethroning Belal Muhammad.

Earlier this week, Makhachev stated in an ESPN interview how he has only been fighting at 60 percent during his storied run a division lighter, due to the torturous nature of his weight cuts.

And Australia’s UFC welterweight king isn’t ruling it out.

“I really believe this will be the best version of Islam Makhachev we’ve seen,” Della says.

And as for how he overcomes a challenger who has already caused such heartache for Australian MMA?

“What do I have that Volk didn’t? I’ve witnessed what he did,” the champ says.

“Especially in that first fight against Islam.

“I can still remember watching that fight clearly, we’d never seen anyone push Islam like that before.

“So that’s now something I have that Alex didn’t.

“When he first fought Islam, there were still so many unknowns. You could say Volk went into his fights more blind than I’ll be, if that makes sense?

“I know the game plan required to push Islam. And that’s what I’ve got.”

Importantly, Maddalena has also spent a week of this camp training alongside Volkanovski, who without being requested, and at his own cost, jetted into Perth to help with preparations.

Australian BJJ star Craig Jones is also part of Team Della.

All of which advantages the champ.

Same deal the obvious size difference between Della, a genuine UFC welterweight, and Volkanovski, who competes almost 12kg lighter.

“Islam Makhachev, he’s a big guy,” Maddalena continues. “But Volk isn’t.

“Yet despite all that, Volk still went out there and was able to do what he did in that first fight, which inspires me.

“Especially being the bigger person now myself.

“It’s why I can’t just hang in there with him.

“I know I need to be damaging, and I need to damage Islam early early.

“Really make him feel like he’s been in a fight.

“I need to get on the front foot and damage him because that’s going to be the difference”.

While some have questioned how Makhachev will handle the move up, the challenger stressed to ESPN this week how he can now reach new heights without those increasingly tough weight cuts.

Asked if Makhachev has the build required to be a genuine UFC welterweight threat, JDM replied: “I think he does, and I think it would be silly for me to expect otherwise.

“I know in our gym when I’m talking with the younger guys, I’m always telling them ‘don’t try to cut too much weight’.

“And it’s because you’re always better stepping up than leaving yourself drained.

“I think there’s a lot of fighters out there who leave too much of themselves in the weight cut.

“I mean, forget fighting the next day. I believe it can take them a week to get over it.

“And that’s why I really believe this will be the best version of Islam Makhachev we’ve ever seen.

“He’s going to be filled out, less drained, in great shape.

“I actually expect he’ll be among the strongest welterweights I’ve ever fought to be honest.”

Which again, plays into that question back up top: What does Della have that Volk didn’t?

“And it’s a great question, right” says Maddalena’s older brother and chief sparring partner, Josh.

“Because Volk, he’s such a special guy.

“And a f***ing beast.

“So it would be incredibly unfair to just say ‘Oh, well, because Jack is better than Volk’.”

When it comes to the most obvious difference between Australia’s two champs, Josh Della says you only need to put the pair side-by-side.

“Then look at them,” he says simply. “Because it’s then you realise just how completely f***ing different in sizes they are.

“Jack is not only way bigger than Volk, it’s two weight classes bigger.

“And I know size doesn’t always matter in a fight.

“But when two guys have skills that are the same? Yeah, it matters.”

And as for suggestions his little brother is also the harder puncher?

“Look it’s hard comparing two awesome fighters,” Josh continues. “But just go back and watch the first between Volk and Islam.

“Every time Volk touched Islam, it almost put him on the canvas.

“So if Jack is able to put together combinations, hit the body, hit the head, Islam is going to have a lot of trouble.

“And then he’s going to get desperate, and have to shoot from a lot further away.

“And I think Jack will be able to defend those initial shots.”

Soon after, Josh continued: “With Volk, he’s really good at closing distance quickly.

“He uses his jab, and gets in and out with his speed, his skills.

“But with the way Jack moves, he’s always balanced and in a position to hit.

“His movement isn’t so much about speed as being in a flow state, where he is able to punch and defend.

“So I just know Jack has what it takes.”