Islam Makhachev is venturing into new territory at UFC 322, moving up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday night. And if size was ever a concern, the former lightweight champion isn’t showing it.
“When I faced off with Jack, I see we same size, you know,” Makhachev told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“I don’t think I’m like small for the welterweight. I did my program very well, gained weight, and I’m ready.”
Makhachev’s move up in weight didn’t come easy. The lightweight champion admitted that the preparation for UFC 322 pushed him harder than any camp before.
“Honestly it’s the hardest camp in my life. I start 3 months before and it was very hard camp,” he said.
Other fighters, many in the welterweight division, have said that if Makhachev can’t get Maddalena to the ground that he’ll struggle with the champions striking. While much of the focus has been on Makhachev’s wrestling pedigree, the champion was quick to remind everyone that his skill set extends far beyond the mat.
“I just want to tell everybody I can fight with anybody in the striking, grappling, wrestling because I’m not just grappler. I can strike. I strike with Dustin (Poirier), with (Alexander) Volk. He can defend my wrestling, but I will strike and I will try to take him down again,” he said.
“This is not striking match or grappling match. This is MMA fight.”
Beyond the challenge and the spotlight, Makhachev sees UFC 322 as a chance to make history. The lightweight champion knows exactly what’s at stake if he can pull off the win.
“This is big things. I’m going to be #10 who are like two-division champion. It’s a big things for me,” he said.
“It’s a dream. Big fight.”
The lights don’t get much brighter than Madison Square Garden, and Makhachev knows it. With history on the line, the lightweight champ called this weekend’s showdown the biggest challenge of his career.
“This is biggest fight in my life. Biggest test,” he said.
“Here in New York, Madison Square Garden, it’s going to be hardest test, but I’m ready.”
Maddalena has said in interviews that he believes he’s a better fighter than the former lightweight king. Makhachev couldn’t help but grin.
“I think nobody believe this,” he told Cageside Press.
“He’s a good boxer, he’s a good fighter, but I know I have better skills than him.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Islam Makhachev above. He faces Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322 on Saturday night.
