Islam Makhachev made historical past at UFC 322, turning into one of many uncommon fighters to carry titles in two completely different weight lessons. He left Madison Sq. Backyard with the welterweight belt on November fifteenth after utterly dominating Jacques Della Maddalena for 25 minutes. After every part was over, Makhachev left a message for the person in Della Maddalena’s nook.
Islam Makhachev’s jab on Craig Jones in historic win at UFC 322
Craig Jones coached Della Maddalena all through the match, after which Makhachev made a beeline for him. Within the post-fight press convention, Makhachev defined what he mentioned: “I instructed him your jiu-jitsu is not working. It’s important to come to Dagestan for a few years.” Jones took it effectively. Makhachev mentioned Jones began laughing and even instructed Khabib he was happening a visit.
This remark carries some weight as this isn’t the primary time Makhachev has competed underneath Jones’ tutelage. Earlier than Della Maddalena, Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284, with Volkanovski coaching extensively with Jones earlier than shifting to welterweight. In consequence, two of Jones’ high-profile fighters can be at an obstacle attributable to Makhachev’s grappling.
Makhachev took down Della Maddalena within the first minute and mainly stayed on prime for the remainder of the night time. When the judges scored it, they have been 50-45 throughout the board. Della Maddalena continued to defend submission makes an attempt, however could not do a lot else. By the fifth spherical, I had been shot within the leg with a calf kick and was simply attempting to outlive.
Makhachev instantly felt the distinction. On the press convention he spoke about how significantly better he feels preventing on this new weight class. “I really feel extra energy and extra assured after I hit and transfer,” he mentioned. “I can now management anybody on the bottom. I’ve by no means felt like this earlier than.”
The actual pressure right here is deeper than simply Makhachev and Jones. Makhachev’s supervisor, Ali Abdelaziz, didn’t maintain again after the match. In an interview with Fox Sports activities, Abdelaziz grilled Jones, saying, “Craig Jones, deport your brother. He makes fighters lose. He isn’t lower out for combined martial arts. Jiu-jitsu is not lower out for combined martial arts.” He later mentioned Jones was “no person,” only a jiu-jitsu man attempting to remain related via MMA fighters.
There’s a philosophical divide right here. Jones comes from a pure Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background and has a submission-oriented method. Makhachev’s strategy is predicated on wrestling and sambo, emphasizing management and strain fairly than pursuing submissions. The submission-first technique did not work for Della Maddalena within the cage in opposition to somebody like Makhachev.
Craig Jones is a two-time silver medalist on the ADCC World Championships and has competed on the highest stage of submission grappling. In 2017, he had one of the spectacular runs in ADCC historical past, shedding within the semifinals to legendary five-time world champion Leandro Roe, revered coach Murilo Santana, and UFC veteran Chel Sonnen. Jones is a three-time Polaris Professional Grappling champion and has the most effective submission report within the sport, with 51 of his 63 wins coming by submission. He was the primary Australian male to win the IBJJF World Championships as a purple belt in 2015 and holds a level in behavioral science. On the earth of Jiu-Jitsu, his credentials are excellent.
Makhachev is at the moment on a 16-fight win streak, tying Anderson Silva’s UFC report. With back-to-back title belts and this sort of dominance on the bottom, his feedback about coaching in Dagestan carry a sure authority that comes with outcomes. Jones laughed it off, however the scorecard would not lie.
