The UFC 322 essential event didn’t impress Israel Adesanya at first.
After yet one more event on the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday, the UFC will turn its attention to its latest pay-per-view at the long-lasting Madison Square Garden in Recent York City.
The essential event highlight has gone to newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, who returns for his first defense after unseating Belal Muhammad from the throne this past May.
His first hurdle will probably be a tricky one, as Della Maddalena faces the challenge of Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. And the choice to offer the Dagestani a shot at two-division glory within the Australian’s opening defense left Adesanya unsure…
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Israel Adesanya initially thought Jack Della Maddalena’s first UFC title defense was ‘disrespectful’
Ahead of the November 15 numbered event at MSG, Adesanya recently interviewed the welterweight king on an episode of his Young Man Ramble podcast.
The previous two-time UFC middleweight champ addressed the promotion’s decision to have Della Maddalena defend against a longtime lightweight who’s moving as much as chase two-division glory in his first fight since winning the belt.
Adesanya admitted he initially found the UFC 322 booking “disrespectful” but soon altered how he checked out the situation, likening it to that of one other Australian standout.
“Even for me, the incontrovertible fact that they gave you Islam straightaway, I used to be considering…is that disrespectful?
“But then I said, ‘Nah, I won’t say it’s disrespectful — they only respect Islam they usually wanna give him the shot for the belt, so he could be like Alex (Volkanovski), attempt to go double champ status,” he added.
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Israel Adesanya’s daring prediction for Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Disrespectful or not, Adesanya expects his fellow Oceania star to get past the challenge awaiting him in Recent York City.
While interviewing Alexander Volkanovski on his YouTube channel earlier this 12 months, Adesanya shared a daring Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev prediction, backing the Australian to knock the Dagestani out.
“This fight, Ben Vickers (Della Maddalena’s coach) said he’s gonna knock (Makhachev) out, and I consider him,” Adesanya said.
“I truthfully consider him because I just think he’s not going to give you the chance to hold with him on the scrambles or when he gets back up.
“Della Maddalena is just so stoic, he just focuses on his own game, and when he does that, I actually think he’s gonna get him,” he added.