Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) is in lots of conversations for the perfect boxer in blended martial arts, however he is not within the debate. Lately, UFC Corridor of Famer Michael Bisping praised Maddalena and stated he is in all probability the perfect boxer within the sport.
Throughout an interview with Newsweek Sports activities, the UFC Welterweight Champion stated he merely cannot settle for the applause with out stating a truth.
“That is type of a loopy argument,” Maddalena stated. “I’ve by no means even had a boxing match. How may I be the perfect boxer? I take a look at boxing as a sport of its personal. Am I among the finest punchers? Perhaps. I do not actually journey into that type of factor an excessive amount of. Admire it, however I feel boxing is a totally totally different sport.”
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Buzz for UFC 322 Combat
Maddalena’s first protection of the 170-pound gold shall be in opposition to Islam Makhachev, (27-1) who vacated the UFC Light-weight Championship. Maddalena shared the distinction between the buildup for his Could title combat with Belal Muhammad and his upcoming protection in opposition to Makhachev.
“Greater problem, more durable combat, greater stage—yeah, I feel undoubtedly this combat [has more buzz],” Maddalena stated.
‘The Mecca’
For some fighters, venues do not matter even when they’ve status. That is not the case with Maddalena, who has needed to combat inside Madison Sq. Backyard for fairly a while.
“It has been on the bucket listing of locations to compete in,” Maddalena stated. “In addition they do the November card right here yearly. Since I first bought into the UFC, I’ve at all times needed to attempt to get on that November card. Simply so occurs it is this yr. The primary occasion of the massive card, so it is actually thrilling. What a venue, what a spot to combat. I am unable to wait.”
Maddalena will lastly get his want on Saturday when he meets Makhachev in New York Metropolis. He was very a lot wanting ahead to the combat week festivities.
“Yeah, for positive,” Maddalena stated. “It is clearly an enormous metropolis, an enormous occasion. So, yeah, quite a bit happening, however we’re embracing it.”
Islam Makhachev’s Transfer Up
With Makhachev transferring up in weight, there are some questions over whether or not or not the facility of the 155-pound nice will carry over to welterweight. Maddalena is assured that Makhachev will not run into any points in that division.
“Yeah, I’m,” Maddalena stated. “I am anticipating that. New division for him, however he is in all probability chopping quite a lot of weight to get all the way down to light-weight. I undoubtedly really feel like this shall be in all probability higher for him bodily. I feel he’ll be one of many stronger welterweights. I undoubtedly count on him to be on the extent of welterweights by way of power.”
JDM’s Favourite Boxer
Whereas Maddalena is not one to concentrate to debates about his boxing, he does have an appreciation for the “candy science.” He named one boxer that he holds in excessive regard.
“I am an enormous James Toney fan,” Maddalena stated. “He is in all probability one in every of my favourite boxers. A number of the finest protection ever, for positive.”
State of Welterweight Division
Maddalena’s title combat will not be the one pivotal 170-pound bout on the cardboard. Sean Brady is about to go one-on-one with Michael Morales. Former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards can be scheduled to collide with Carlos Prates. The champion from Perth is completely happy to see the division heating up.
“It is thrilling,” Maddalena stated. “After this weekend, the next weekend we’ll have a transparent thought of who the following contender is,” Maddalena stated. “I feel there’s fascinating fights. Do not know the way they’ll go, however I’m excited to see them and see who’s going to be subsequent. So, I feel it is an thrilling time for the division.”
Chatting with Israel Adesanya
A current video on Israel Adesanya’s YouTube channel confirmed the MMA legend having a prolonged dialog with Maddalena. The 170-pound king is grateful to get an opportunity to choose “The Final Stylebender’s” mind.
“He is clearly a legend, an actual inspiration for me,” Maddalena stated. “One of many best middleweights, one of many best fighters ever. To simply have the ability to chat with somebody like that’s fairly cool. He is such a cool, good man. So, blessed to have the ability to converse with somebody like him.”
Wipeout at MSG?
If Maddalena will get his hand raised on Saturday, he is aware of what he hopes the headlines will learn the next morning.
“I am type of simply hoping, like, after the combat, everybody type of simply says, ‘Islam is only a light-weight.’ That might in all probability be the best-case state of affairs, I feel, if everybody simply says, ‘He was only a light-weight. He was by no means going to win.’ That might be the perfect state of affairs, I imagine, as a result of then it could simply imply I wiped him out.”
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