Alexander Volkanovski’s head coach is backing Jack Della Maddalena to win next Sunday’s UFC title blockbuster by KO – while also stressing one crucial change to the game plan which, two years ago, he still insists beat Islam Makhachev.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Team Volkanovski head coach Joe Lopez has broken down the keys to victory for Maddalena in his hyped UFC 322 title defence against Makhachev at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
It comes after the Freestyle MMA boss quietly jetted into Perth recently to spend time with the champ and his team before they themselves headed out for the Big Apple — and only days after Volkanovski had done the same.
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
The presence of both Volkanovski and Lopez at Scrappy MMA, which is overseen by esteemed Perth coach Ben Vickers, is a huge bonus for JDM as he looks to defend his UFC welterweight title for the first time.
Certainly, Lopez is no stranger to the challenges presented by Makhachev, having twice readied Volk to move up and face the then UFC lightweight king in 2023.
While the hyped Dagestani bogeyman would win both, including once by knockout, it was the featherweight champ’s efforts in the first contentious decision loss which showed more than a little about how to win.
While gracious in defeat, Volk and his team – along with plenty of others — have always believed the gritty Wollongong slugger did enough to earn victory in what was eventually crowned 2023 UFC Fight of the Year.
Asked if Volkanovski’s showing at UFC 284 was effectively a blueprint for beating Makhachev, Lopez replied: “Yeah, 100 per cent.
“You look back at that first fight, I still think Volk won it. I think we were unlucky.
“But that’s just the nature of the beast.
“And the great thing about Jack too, he’s cut from the same cloth as Volk.
“He’s incredibly determined, a tough, old school guy and an absolute goer. With the work ethic he has, you can’t stop him.”
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Lopez also suggested JDM would be a different prospect for Makhachev given his obvious size difference, especially when compared to Volkanovski moving up from featherweight for both his previous fights.
One of Australia’s most revered MMA minds added that after spending time in camp with Maddalena, he was also backing him to win via KO.
“I think Jack will be too big for him, too strong,“ Lopez said.
“So long as he doesn’t settle in the scrambles, keeps moving and doesn’t let Islam play his game he will be too strong.
“I mean, you could see what Volk did to Islam in the first fight, particularly the later rounds. And Jack is a bigger man so hopefully he can muscle his way out of those positions.
“Same as Islam will know in the back of his mind that Jack is a power puncher.
“So you’ve got someone who already has these great striking skills, and now he’s coming into another fight with the help of Craig Jones.
“Jack Della is a real threat.”
And as for a prediction?
“I’m hoping Jack KOs him,” Lopez said. “I’d love to see it for Jack and for Australia, too.
“And he’s definitely capable of it.
“Jack has great timing in his punches, and is very powerful.
“Islam has also been knocked out before, so I don’t see why it can’t happen again.
“Jack can definitely be the man to do it.”
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And as for what changes, if any, Lopez has urged JDM to make, especially when compared to his team’s own two shots at the former UFC lightweight king?
“If we fought Islam over, we would still show respect,” Lopez started. “But not too much.
“We’d play our game more.
“And Jack knows that.
“Anyone who has ever wrestled Volk will tell you he’s incredibly strong. And we thought Islam would be the same, just a bigger version.
“But when Alex went in there with him, that wasn’t the case. He wasn’t as strong as we thought, and didn’t manhandle Alex at all.
“Instead, Islam just held onto him. [And then] didn’t even really do any damage when he did have him, just held his back.
“And that was always my fear on how we would lose that fight. On the control time. That Islam would just get a position and hang on.
“And in a sense, he won it that way.”
Lopez also insisted Della was ready for Makhachev’s ground game, and praised the work done this camp by not only his team out of Scrappy MMA, but also Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist Craig Jones — who was also with Team Volkanovski for both Makhachev fights.
“In the scrambles, Jack can’t be complacent and let Islam settle,” the coach continued.
“That’s where Islam is strongest, and where he has the best chance of finishing. Especially in the half guard, and his D’Arce [chokes] from turtle.
“So Jack needs to be on top of that. And I can tell you he is.
“He’s brought Craig Jones into camp, who is one of the best at breaking down grappling and putting a game plan together.
“I’ve worked with Craig a long time and you can’t ask for anyone better in your corner.”