Georges St-Pierre recently dissected the UFC 322 main event showdown between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of the fight.
St-Pierre began by focusing on Makhachev’s move up to welterweight, explaining how the added weight can influence both pace and comfort during extended bouts. He noted that if the fight stretches into the later rounds, Della Maddalena’s conditioning and steady pressure could become significant factors.
> “Islam is moving up in weight. When you move up in weight and you’re trying to put on muscle mass, especially in your first fight at that weight, you probably feel like you’re fighting with a backpack because your body isn’t used to carrying that extra weight,” St-Pierre said in a recent interview with Helen Yee.
> “So if the fight goes into the deep waters, it might favor ‘JDM’ because of that. Islam might get tired. However, I think if the fight is a one-way fight and a total domination, it’s because Islam Makhachev managed to put ‘JDM’ down with superior grappling skill to finish him. That’s the two ways I can see this fight finishing tomorrow.”
St-Pierre also addressed the underrated nature of Jack Della Maddalena. He highlighted the consistency in the Australian champion’s work and praised the way he manages exchanges without rushing or forcing openings.
> “I feel that ‘JDM’ does not have the respect that he deserves. I don’t know why people, even in his last fight in Montreal, he was the underdog. I think he’s a lot better than what people give him credit for. I’m a big fan of his style. He makes me think of a little bit of a Nick Diaz — very in-your-face type of guy, forward pressure, relentless, very crafty ground game, very hard to hold down, and it’s a very similar style.”
**Alexander Volkanovski’s Take on the Fight**
Alexander Volkanovski also shared his perspective on the matchup, emphasizing how Della Maddalena should leverage his movement and pressure to avoid prolonged grappling exchanges that favor Makhachev.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, ‘The Great’ explained,
> “Jack’s great on the ground, but we don’t want it to go to the ground. Even though Jack’s good there, that’s Islam’s world. That’s all he does, 24/7, since he was walking. He probably started wrestling before he started walking. That’s how long these guys have been doing this for.
> Do we want to go there? Be OK with the scrambles if you’re comfortable enough in the scrambles, and keep that urgency, and use your weight. Obviously, I was able to tire him from all of those little scrambles. Can Jack be effective where he can burn him there?”
Volkanovski’s analysis underscores the importance of Della Maddalena’s scrambling abilities to stay upright and avoid sustained grappling control by Makhachev.
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Stay tuned for more updates and expert breakdowns ahead of UFC 322 as these two elite fighters prepare for their highly anticipated clash. For the latest rankings and news, visit Sportskeeda’s One Championship Rankings section.
*Check out Georges St-Pierre’s full comments and additional fight analysis below.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-he-makes-think-nick-diaz-georges-st-pierre-dissects-jack-della-maddalena-s-style-ahead-ufc-322-showdown-islam-makhachev
