UFC boss breaks up tense face-off between the 2 fighters earlier than their welterweight title bout at Madison Sq. Backyard.
UFC boss Dana White needed to separate a tense staredown between welterweight title holder Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev earlier than their combat this weekend, because the defending champ pledged to beat the combined martial arts “legend” to convey the belt residence to Australia.
The fighters got here nose-to-nose and refused to interrupt eye contact throughout a face-off after their information convention on Thursday at Madison Sq. Backyard, New York, the place they’ll headline UFC 322 on Saturday evening, ultimately main White to prise them aside.
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Della Maddalena (18-2) will mount his first title defence after beating Belal Muhammad by unanimous resolution to turn into champion in Could. The 29-year-old Australian is undefeated within the UFC and is now on an 18-fight win streak general.
The 34-year-old Makhachev (27-1), who’s considered a pound-for-pound nice and is on a 15-win streak, vacated his light-weight belt to maneuver up a weight class.
Della Maddalena was taciturn however appeared unfazed as he obtained a refrain of boos from the gang at Thursday evening’s information convention, along with his Dagestani opponent the clear fan-favourite.
“That is what I acquired on this sport for – huge challenges, huge moments. I’m excited for the problem and I’m wanting ahead to it,” Della Maddalena mentioned.
“I’m going to convey this belt again residence to Australia, little question,” he added.
“Clearly, Islam’s a legend. A giant win over him can be an enormous identify on the resume and it could undoubtedly put me up on the pound-for-pound record.”
Makhachev responded by saying he would go 4-0 in opposition to Australian fighters – though he might have been lumping the New Zealander Dan Hooker in that record, as his solely earlier Aussie opponent was Alexander Volkanovski, who Makhachev beat twice.
“Australia, it’s a very good place. I used to be there, I prefer it and now it’s 3-0, I’ll make it 4,” he mentioned.
Della Maddalena hit again by saying a number of Australian fighters have been thriving within the UFC.
“I’m very proud to be Australian, very proud to lift the Australian flag,” he mentioned.
“Australia could be very aggressive, it has a preventing tradition and that’s why we’re doing so effectively. We now have two champions and after this weekend we are going to nonetheless have two champions.”
Though Della Maddalena and Makhachev are each well-rounded fighters, the Australian is famend for his boxing whereas the Dagestani is famed for his ferocious floor sport.
Makhachev smiled and mentioned he “didn’t know” when requested if Della Maddalena was the very best boxer within the UFC.
“Jack is without doubt one of the greatest, however I’m additionally a very good striker, so let’s see who is healthier,” he mentioned.
Della Maddalena, in the meantime, advised reporters he would “completely” have the ability to defend Makhachev’s takedown makes an attempt for your entire combat, as he did so successfully in his victory over Muhammad.
“[I can do it for the] full 25 minutes,” he mentioned, with a wry smile of his personal.
