Despite being one of the most dominant wrestlers and grapplers the UFC has ever seen, Islam Makhachev has been advised to work on that part of his game.
Last week, it was shockingly announced that Islam Makhachev has vacated his lightweight title and will be pursuing a welterweight title fight against Jack Della Maddalena.
Ahead of the UFC 315 main event, Makhachev outlined his plan and stated that the result of the main event would determine his next fight, which of course Della Maddalena went on to dominate and win the title.
Following the fight, Makhachev sent a defiant message to Della Maddalena, immediately sparking the beginning of their feud.
Makhachev told to work on his wrestling ahead of Della Maddalena fight
As of this moment, there is currently not a date set for the welterweight title clash between Islam Makhachev and the newly crowned champion, however, the UFC’s upcoming event in Abu Dhabi in October is being rumored.
One of the most surprising aspects of Della Maddalena’s win over Belal Muhammad is that he stuffed the majority of Muhammad’s takedown attempts and showcased an incredible wrestling defense.
And because of that, Makhachev has been implored to work on his wrestling, despite him being one of the most dominant wrestlers in the sport, by his longtime friend and training partner, Daniel Cormier.
“Islam vs Jack is gonna be a great fight, especially seeing Jack defend the takedowns in the way that he did and Islam struggled a little to take down Dustin Poirier,” Cormier began to explain in the recent episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy.
“He didn’t take him down as easily as he had taken down other guys, so I think for Makhachev he needs to really lock in on getting that wrestling ready to fight a guy in Jack Della Maddalena who showed great takedown defense and, man, this dude’s got some good boxing, especially when you’re in tight with him,” Cormier continued.
Islam Makhachev proved his striking with blockbuster KO over Volkanovski
Although the Australian is deemed to have the striking advantage in the matchup, Makhachev has proved over his UFC career that he has elite level striking.
And fans came around to that when he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski in their rematch at UFC 294 with a brutal first-round head kick knockout.
Della Maddalena’s striking style leans more on his boxing advantages, whereas the Russian is more comfortable using his kicks as part of his attacks, as well as a dominant Thai clinch.