UFC 322: Perth champion Jack Della Maddalena hunting challenger Islam Makhachev in first title defence

Jack Della Maddalena says he feels like the challenger despite preparing for his first welterweight title defence against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in Madison Square Garden at UFC 322 later this year. The UFC confirmed the long-touted bout between Della Maddalena (18-2) and Makhachev (27-1) on Friday morning, with the pair to go toe-to-toe in New York on Sunday, November 16. It will headline a blockbuster card that will feature a women’s flyweight championship bout between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili, as well as a fight between top welterweight contenders Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates. Della Maddalena, 28, became Western Australia’s first UFC champion in May when he beat Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision to become an instant household name. Makhachev presents a tougher task, having vacated the lightweight title to go up a division and challenge Della Maddalena for his belt. The Russian is ranked the No.2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, giving the West Aussie the feeling of the hunter heading into the fight. “I don’t have that much pressure. Everyone still looks at him as if he’s the man. I feel like I am the challenger still,” Della Maddalena told The West Australian. “For the past three years being in the UFC, it (fighting at MSG) is something I’ve always wanted to do. If you had told me my first fight in MSG would be against the pound-for-pound No.2, defending your belt — it’s surreal. “The stadium itself is steeped with combat history. Muhammad Ali, massive fights went down there. “I couldn’t be happier. A young Perth boy headlining MSG and becoming the pound-for-pound No.1 in one of the biggest fighting arenas in the world. I am going to take my claim as the pound-for-pound No.1 fighter in the biggest arena in the fight game.” Makhachev is on an incredible 15-fight win streak that will have spanned a decade by the time they meet in the octagon. Della Maddalena backed himself to end the Russian’s run because his stand-up game would ensure he did not get caught by the expert grappler. “He’s the last guy you want to be on top of you so a massive part of this camp is going to be the grappling,” Della Maddalena said. “I’m excited for the challenge. This isn’t a grappling match, this is an MMA fight. It starts on the feet and as soon as the fight starts I’m going to sting him from the get-go. “The plan is much the same. Go in there and sting him, don’t get touched and keep him on the end of my shots and keep stinging him. “If it takes five rounds, it takes five rounds. If I can’t get him out of there early, it’s no big deal. I’m not afraid of the grapple. I think I will surprise some people with the grappling. I will definitely get him. I am going to try to get him out of there before the fifth round for sure.” UFC president Dana White said: “This is the definition of a superfight. Champion versus champion, Madison Square Garden. “Jack has won 18 fights in a row, just beat Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title. “(While Islam) has decided to take his 15-fight win streak and move up in an attempt to become one of the few fighters in UFC history to win belts in two divisions.”