Conor McGregor’s Coach Reveals Jack Della Maddalena’s Humbling Admission About Islam Makhachev After UFC 322 Defeat

After his disastrous UFC 322 outing, Jack Della Maddalena confined in Conor McGregor's coach, John Kavanagh backstage.

Conor McGregor’s Coach Reveals Jack Della Maddalena’s Humbling Admission About Islam Makhachev After UFC 322 Defeat

Islam Makhachev's dominance against Jack Della Maddalena was reviewed by Conor McGregor's coach (via X)

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Jack Della Maddalena entered UFC 322 brimming with confidence in his striking, convinced he had the tools to slay Islam Makhachev. But once the cage door closed, the fight told a very different story. Makhachev imposed his will from the opening seconds, smothering the Aussie with relentless grappling pressure and effortlessly controlling every phase of the bout.

The Dagestani star racked up more than 19 minutes of control time, leaving Della Maddalena with virtually no room to mount any meaningful offense. Moreover, multiple calf kicks rendered Della Maddalena’s boxing useless, and he was seen in immense pain between the rounds.

What many analysts saw as a potential test for Makhachev moving up 15lbs in weight proved to be an advantage instead. The extra size only amplified his already elite strength, making him look unstoppable in one of the most dominant performances of his career.

Following the fight, Conor McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show and shed light on a brief conversation he had with Della Maddalena backstage. He noted the Aussie’s visible frustration and disappointment, acknowledging just how tough the loss was for a fighter who had arrived with high expectations.

I thought it was incredible to be able to do that against somebody so good. And it’s a big jump [in weight]. 145 to 155 is ten pounds, but going 155 to 170 is 15 pounds…I was actually out with [Jack Della Maddalena] last night, and he’s a big unit—a big man. But he said himself, he was kind of shocked at [Islam’s power].

John Kavanagh via The Ariel Helwani Show 

That kind of overwhelming pressure was also experienced by Kavanagh when McGregor faced Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. The relentless wrestling and brutal ground-and-pound completely broke the Irishman, leaving his corner helpless like JDM’s situation.

Throughout training camp, Della Maddalena focused heavily on takedown defense and wrestling while working extensively alongside grappling specialist Craig Jones. His success defending Belal Muhammad’s takedowns at UFC 315 increased expectations against Makhachev, but those trained defensive strategies ultimately failed under pressure.

JDM is regarded as a skilled striker, but he damaged his lead leg from Makhachev’s consistent kicks, which affected him throughout. The Aussie did his best to escape several submission attempts, earning sincere praise from Makhachev for his resilience. However, on the offensive front, Della Maddalena consistently failed to generate meaningful threats or any significant attacks against Makhachev.

There was a noticeable grimace on JDM’s face during the later rounds, highlighted by experts like Demetrious Johnson, Jon Anik, and even his own corner during the bout. Johnson suggested Della Maddalena may have suffered an injury in the cage, though no official reports have confirmed anything yet.

Is Islam Makhachev’s biggest threat still Ilia Topuria?

With the win over Jack Della Maddalena, Islam Makhachev became the 11th fighter in UFC history to claim two championships. However, his inability to secure a finish and his wrestling-heavy strategy drew criticism from fans who labeled the performance boring.

Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena
Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena (via X)

Many viewers expected more action from the highly anticipated bout and felt disappointed by the slow, control-focused approach displayed throughout. The backlash grew louder online as fans debated whether dominant grappling without finishes should still be considered impressive at the championship level. Ilia Topuria, the current lightweight champion and longtime rival of Makhachev, echoed similar sentiments in a pointed X post. 

His comment reignited their heated rivalry and sparked renewed speculation about a potential future showdown between the two champions. Top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was also impressed by Makhachev but highlighted how fighting Topuria could be different. 

I think Ilia fight is going to be much harder than against Maddalena because of his body anthropometry and also I think Ilia packs much harder punch than Maddalena. Maddalena has fewer knockouts than Ilia. Ilia almost dropped every opponent he fought.

Arman Tsarukyan via Red Corner MMA 

The Spaniard is believed to possess superior wrestling and takedown defense, though these skills remain untested against elite wrestlers today. He carries devastating knockout power capable of finishing anybody, leading fans to expect similar results against Makhachev in the future.

However, returning to lightweight appears challenging for the Dagestani since competing at welterweight required significantly less weight cutting during preparation. Makhachev has publicly stated his readiness to compete on the upcoming White House card during his Octagon interview with Joe Rogan, further generating excitement around potential matchups.

A showdown with Topuria appears the most suitable option, offering high stakes, contrasting styles, and significant momentum for both fighters. 

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