Jack Della Maddalena’s head coach says his star charge is set to end the hyped run of not one, but two Octagon bogeyman – while also revealing how “disrespect” now drives Australia’s newest fight star.
The declaration comes as the man ‘Della’ beat for the title, Belal Muhammad, has joined a long list of those tipping against the new UFC welterweight king, warning how “Jack makes mistakes on the ground”.
On six months after winning gold in a Montreal boilover, Maddalena will again start a heavy underdog in next Sunday’s UFC 322 blockbuster against 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.
Despite being on a tear of 18 straight wins, the 29-year-old Perth native is a longer than $3 underdog for the Madison Square Garden headliner, while Makhachev is a $1.45 favourite.
Yet speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Maddalena’s head coach Ben Vickers insists his charge will silence the doubters — and bookies — by ending the UFC streaks of not only Makhachev, but also fellow welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Asked about JDM again being counted out, after also winning the UFC crown against Belal Muhammad as an underdog, Vickers replied: “Love it, mate. Make Jack the underdog forever.
“He’ll just keep on turning up to beat whoever you put in front of him.
“He’s been doing it for a decade.
“He’s just taken Belal Muhammad’s streak.
“Next he’ll take Islam’s streak, then it will be Shavkat Rakhmonov’s streak.
“He’ll take them all.”
JDM reflects on Title triumph over Belal | 05:35
Makhachev, who recently vacated the UFC lightweight title to move up, is on an incredible run of 15 straight wins.
Rakhmonov, meanwhile, is himself on an undefeated tear stretching 19 straight fights, including all seven inside the Octagon, and is looking to make a return from injury early next year.
Vickers added that it was more than bookmakers who had counted Jack out in his title fight against Muhammad, who had himself gone into that title fight on a run of 11 fights without loss.
“But walking around Montreal that week,” Vickers says, “it felt like we were the only ones who believed Jack was winning that fight.
“He was so disrespected.
“And you could see that in Jack’s demeanour.
“He felt people were belittling him. Were writing him off.
“And that’s why you saw a different side of Jack that week.
“Because he won’t be disrespected.
“Yes, he’s calm and collected.
“But he’s also a man who knows exactly who is, what he’s capable of, and the respect that should come with that.
“Of course, he’s never going to ask for it. But he will [demand it] with his performances.”
“I’ll Surprise Him”: JDM to upset Islam? | 05:45
Another backing the UFC welterweight champion to earn another title upset is the champion’s older brother, sparring partner and corner, Josh.
“And I think the upset eventually comes due to Islam’s own confidence,” he said. “Because in his head, Islam thinks he’s going to pick Jack up, hold him down.
“But by [late] round one, round two he’ll be saying ‘f*** this is harder than I thought’.
“And now the third round comes and you’re still going, Jack is landing hard shots, I think it will be quite troubling for Islam.
“And that’s when the upset comes.”
However, speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Muhammad suggested Maddalena’s scrambling could cost him against Islam Makhachev.
Predicting the fight, the former champ said: “It’s going to come down to if it hits the ground.
“If it hits the ground, for Islam, I think his top game is going to be really good. He’s very smart, very controlled and doesn’t let you off the hook when you make a mistake.
“Jack makes mistakes on the ground … he has moments where he lapses safety. He’ll give up his back, he’ll give up his neck, he’ll give up an arm-triangle, and you can’t do that with Islam.
“Islam is going to see that, and he’s going to exploit it.
“I think if Islam comes out wrestling right away and forces that takedown right away, making Jack work, it’s going to be a long night for Jack.
“For myself, seeing him, being in there with him, he’s very smart. He’s good on the feet, he has good hands, he doesn’t give up on himself.
“He always pushes through.
“So Jack’s not going to be a quitter, but he has to take the centre.
“He has to be in the middle. He has to force the action, and try not to get his back to the fence, because we’ve seen in the Poirier fight, Islam really wants to get you to the fence.
“Poirier did a good job of keeping him in the centre, and he defended a couple of takedowns. Honestly, I just think that Islam’s takedown offense is going to be more than Jack’s takedown defense.
“Then when it goes to the ground, it’s going to be a bad night.”
‘For Volk’: JDM eyes finish in MSG | 01:53
When it comes to Rakhmonov, the UFC welterweight contender has not fought since December 2024, where he won a contentious No. 1 contender’s bout against Ian Machado Garry.
Speaking recently, his manager Sayat Abdrakhmanov told Ushatayka that he expects his client back early in 2026.
“Shavkat had health problems,” Abdrakhmanov said.
“In May we were offered to fight Belal Muhammad for the championship title.
“Unfortunately, due to injury, Shavkat was unable to take part in this. And he’s still sort of recovering.
“But he’s already started full-fledged training and will most likely be in fighting shape at the end of January, beginning of February. That’s the forecast now that we’re counting on.
“He is now training twice a day, preparing with the aim of competing at the beginning of next year.”