Jacques Della Maddalena would not thoughts being the underdog.
After successful the welterweight world title with a dominant efficiency towards Belal Muhammad in Might, “JDM” will put gold on the road towards former 155-pound champion Islam Makhachev within the headliner of UFC 322 at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Regardless of getting into the battle because the defending titleholder, Della Maddalena is a big underdog, with Makhachev rising as a virtually 3-1 favourite to develop into the UFC’s subsequent two-division champion.
“I really feel like fighters at all times are inclined to lean in the direction of the champion,” Della Maddalena stated at Wednesday’s UFC 322 media day when requested about making his first title protection as an underdog. “That is why I do not pay an excessive amount of consideration. … I nonetheless really feel like I am the underdog. I nonetheless have the underdog mentality. I really feel like I’ve all the things to show. So, not a lot has modified. I benefit from the underdog function.”
“JDM” has marked an 18-game successful streak relationship again to 2016, getting into Saturday’s scrap. Equally, Islam Makhachev is on a 15-fight successful streak, together with highlight-reel performances towards Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano for the light-weight title.
Now, the “Destroyer of Dagestan” is about to write down his title in historical past as a two-division world champion.
Issues bought a little bit heated between Makhacheva and Della Maddalena at Thursday’s press convention. Dana White was compelled to intervene and separate the 2 fighters earlier than the state of affairs escalated past a heated stare-off as the 2 refused to interrupt eye contact.
