Robert Whittaker thinks there’s a lot of pressure on Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) challenges welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Nov. 15 main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Former UFC lightweight champion Makhachev has entered the fight as a moderate favorite over Della Maddalena.
“Jack has nothing to lose, and I think Islam’s got everything to lose,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “He’s the hottest prospect right now in MMA. Everyone expects Islam to just run through him.”
After a division-record four title defenses, Makhachev relinquished his lightweight belt for a move up to welterweight, but Whittaker thought he would get preferential treatment.
“I think what was unexpected was the relinquishing of the lightweight title,” Whittaker said. “I expected it in a sense that because Topuria did it, people would have to follow suit, but Islam’s kind of like the poster boy right now for the UFC in terms of like megastar sort of things. I didn’t see them doing that.”
When breaking down the fight, Whittaker sided with his fellow Aussie Della Maddalena, but says this time, his prediction isn’t biased. He explained why.
“I’m going to go Jack,” Whittaker said. “I think Jack has that X-factor. I think he has the gut, the grit, the determination to fight the takedowns, 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’s got 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. People sleep on Jack’s grappling game. They sleep on his jiu-jitsu. I don’t think Islam is going to be as gung-ho with the takedowns as everybody believes because Jack has that level of offense off his back. From the things I remember seeing in the (Alexander Volkanovski) fight, their first pairing, I see the fight potentially going that way.
“But I think Jack’s in a better position to take advantage of the things Volk couldn’t. I think he’s got better hands, especially over five rounds with the longer arms and the reach – especially considering Islam is going to be trying to close that distance to get closer. Jack’s tight fighting is so high level. Honestly, skill wise, they both have their strengths. I don’t think either one of them is overly superior in any way. Yes, Islam would be a better wrestler, but Jack has the grappling to kind of threaten that. Not to mention, I think he’s got the Thai boxing to make him pay for anything he doesn’t pull off well. I do think Islam has the kick superiority, and if Jack doesn’t address that, which he hasn’t in a lot of his fights, he’s going to get kicked a lot.”
