Belal Muhammad (left) and Jack Della Maddalena (right)(image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Islam Makhachev has violently demonstrated that he is far more than just a top-tier grappler. But, Jack Della Maddalena believes the former lightweight champ will be turning to his wrestling game early at UFC 322.

Della Maddalena is booked to face Makhachev in the headliner of the November 15th card, which will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fight will mark the first time Della Maddalena has fought since he ended Belal Muhammad’s reign as the welterweight champion in May, by recording a unanimous decision win.

Recently, Della Maddalena (18-2) spoke with the media in his native Australia. While discussing what he expects from Makhachev in comparison to Muhammad, the new champ said he believes Islam will learn from what happened at UFC 315 (quote via MMA Junkie.com).

“They’re different fighters, different challenges,” Della Maddalena said. “Obviously, there’s some similarities within the grappling style, but I definitely look at Islam as a completely different challenge – more of a finishing ability, more powerful on the feet, so different challenge, and I’m excited for it.

“It’s going to start on the feet, and we’ll go from there. I think he’s going to try and mix it up. I think he’ll probably try getting on wrestling early, I’d imagine. Looking back at the Belal fight, he probably sees that Belal’s mistake was maybe not getting on the wrestling early. Yeah, expecting the first round to be getting into some grappling exchanges.”

Makhachev (27-1), meanwhile, hasn’t fought since January when he quickly submitted Renato Moicano at UFC 311. Following Muhammad’s loss at UFC 315, Makhachev confirmed he was moving up to welterweight to pursue the division’s title.