Javier Mendez says Jack Della Maddalena has never faced anyone like Islam Makhachev.
Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Belal Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) to become welterweight champion in Saturday’s UFC 315 main event at Bell Centre in Montreal. He was called out by lightweight champion Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), a challenge he welcomed.
Della Maddalena impressed in his ability to batter Muhammad on the feet and keep the fight standing for the most part. However, Mendez warns Della Maddalena that he won’t be able to impose his game on Makhachev.
“Islam’s a whole different animal than Jack’s ever been involved with,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “If that fight does materialize, we’re going to see a hell of a fight and you’re going to see Islam perform at an absolute incredible level. The weight, it’s not super big for him, so he’s going to be a fairly decent welterweight.”
Mendez is confident in Makhachev’s well-rounded skills. He admits that keeping the fight on the feet like Muhammad did may not be the best strategy, but knows that his star student wouldn’t stray away from the game plan they give him.
“We would dictate the fight based on how well he’s doing or not doing, and he can do it all,” Mendez said of Makhachev. “Can he take Jack down? Absolutely, he can take him down. Can he outstrike Jack? Absolutely, he could outstrike him. But is it wise to try to outstrike him like I feel we can? I don’t know – it may not be. It may be a better deal to do what Belal should have done and what he didn’t do, and that’s something I know Islam will do because he’s never not listened to us.”
Della Maddalena wants the fight on home soil, but Mendez hopes Makhachev is the one who gets to dictate the location.
“If that’s what it is, that’s what it is,” Mendez said. “But, let’s hope the pound-for-pound No. 1 gets to make a decision where if that’s what they offer us.”
