Former UFC lightweight champion and Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov shared his insights regarding the upcoming fight between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
This is a top-level fight. A small mistake will cost everything. People say Islam is the clear favorite? We don't see it that way; I don't think so either. Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Makhachev's career. Wouldn’t Topuria have been Makhachev's toughest opponent? Maddalena is twice the size and height of Ilya. He has stronger legs, a solid torso, and his boxing is just as good as Topuria’s. He is also very strong in grappling. If I start preparing Islam, I'll be much more concerned about the fight with Jack.
"What comes for Islam after Maddalena? It’s really tough to look past Maddalena; he’s a good fighter. But hypothetically, we might see Kamaru Usman or Shavkat Rakhmonov," Khabib stated during the HUSTLE SHOW on Adam Zubayraev's YouTube channel.
Maddalena fought Belal Muhammad in May at UFC 315, winning by unanimous decision and capturing the UFC welterweight championship. His record stands at 18 wins and 2 losses.
