Following his impressive victory at UFC 315, Australian sensation Jack Della Maddalena has secured a welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, who aims to add a second championship belt to his collection.
The betting lines have already been established with Makhachev entering as the clear favorite at -200, implying a 66.7% win probability. Della Maddalena sits as the underdog at +170, representing a 37% chance of victory according to oddsmakers.
Makhachev's dominance in the lightweight division has been built on his suffocating grappling style and elite control. His ability to dictate where fights take place has overwhelmed opponents, though moving up in weight presents new challenges against naturally larger fighters.
Della Maddalena has shown he's no easy target on the ground, displaying excellent takedown defense against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. The Australian's striking prowess could pose significant problems for Makhachev if the fight remains standing. His combination of length, power, and technical precision makes him dangerous on the feet.
According to Statbet fight analysis, Makhachev's path to victory likely involves his trademark chain wrestling approach, where he doesn't merely shoot for single takedowns but systematically breaks opponents down through clinch work and fence control.
The key to the contest may be how Della Maddalena handles the early grappling exchanges. If he can force Makhachev to work hard for takedowns while maintaining his energy, the size difference could become increasingly important as the championship rounds progress.
Experts anticipate a compelling clash of styles with Makhachev pursuing submissions while Della Maddalena looks to keep distance and potentially find a knockout. The bout is expected to go beyond the opening rounds, with oddsmakers favoring the over 1.5 rounds proposition.
