The upcoming showdown between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev has captured the imagination of the MMA world. As Maddalena prepares for his first UFC welterweight title defense, he’ll be facing what many consider the toughest test of his career — the reigning lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king, Islam Makhachev. But one of Maddalena’s former rivals, Danny Roberts, believes the Aussie sensation has what it takes to pull off the upset.

Danny Roberts Believes Maddalena Can Break the Myth of Dagestan

Few understand the pressure of facing top-tier fighters better than Danny Roberts, a seasoned UFC veteran who’s battled some of the welterweight division’s most dangerous strikers. Roberts, who faced Maddalena before the Australian’s meteoric rise, recently shared his belief that Jack Della Maddalena has the tools to expose Makhachev’s humanity.

“Everyone’s human, right?” Roberts told Bloody Elbow. “There’s been this aura around Russians and Dagestanis since Khabib. What he’s done gives them this air of immortality. But they bleed like the rest of us.”

It’s this psychological edge, Roberts argues, that Maddalena must attack. He believes that stripping away Makhachev’s mystique and forcing him into a fight where he feels vulnerable could open the door for an upset victory.

The Aura of Invincibility: A Mental Barrier for Opponents

Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unbeaten run and Islam Makhachev’s dominance, Dagestani fighters have carried an intimidating aura into the octagon. Their combination of sambo wrestling, suffocating grappling, and relentless pressure has made them appear nearly invincible. But as Roberts suggests, fighters who buy into the legend lose before the fight even starts.

Jack Della Maddalena, on the other hand, has shown time and again that he doesn’t fear reputations. Calm, calculated, and confident, he approaches each fight as an opportunity to impose his will.

Danny Roberts Remembers Maddalena’s Power Firsthand

Danny Roberts faced Maddalena in what was supposed to be a test for the rising Aussie star. Instead, it turned into another highlight-reel finish for Maddalena, who dismantled Roberts in under four minutes.

“Being in there with JDM, you immediately feel the pressure and the hands that he’s got,” Roberts explained. “I’ve been in there with some killers, but this guy’s different. He’s got something special.”

Roberts has squared off against dangerous fighters like Mike Perry and Michel Pereira, but he’s quick to name Maddalena as the best opponent of his career.

“Listen, he’s champ so it’s undeniable that he’s the best that I’ve fought,” Roberts admitted. “Even though it wasn’t the right time for me, and not all the factors going into the fight were right, you can’t deny what he’s done. Just look at him.”

Making Makhachev Feel Human

So what exactly does it mean to “make Makhachev feel human”?

Roberts explains that it’s about forcing Makhachev out of his comfort zone. If the Dagestani grappler can’t secure early takedowns, he’ll be forced to engage in a striking battle where Maddalena thrives. And as we’ve seen in the past, even the best wrestlers struggle when they can’t dictate the terms of the fight.

“You’ve got to make them bleed, put them on the back foot, and show them they’re not untouchable,” Roberts emphasized.

Maddalena’s Calm Confidence: A Mark of a Champion

One of the most striking things about Jack Della Maddalena is his demeanor. Whether walking to the cage, standing face-to-face with opponents, or trading blows in the pocket, he exudes a calmness that belies the chaos of combat sports.

Roberts recalls that energy from their brief encounter in the octagon.

“Look at how casual he was, how relaxed. It breeds that level of supreme athlete,” Roberts said. “At the time I fought him, he was on like a 12-fight winning streak. I felt like I was just another rung on the ladder for him.”

The Short But Telling Fight with Roberts

Though the fight between Roberts and Maddalena lasted only a few minutes, it left a lasting impression.

“The fight was short-lived, and I didn’t even get to speak to him afterward,” Roberts said. “But when you’re in there, feeling the precision of his shots and the calm way he delivers them, you know you’re facing something special.”

Maddalena’s striking is surgical — precise, efficient, and devastating. He cuts off the cage, works the body, and finds the chin with ruthless accuracy. Against a grappler like Makhachev, who relies on forward pressure to close the distance, that could be a dangerous combination.

The Makhachev Factor: Pound-for-Pound King

Of course, no conversation about this fight can ignore the dominance of Islam Makhachev. The lightweight champion and top pound-for-pound fighter has dismantled elite competition, including Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Alexander Volkanovski.

Makhachev’s wrestling is suffocating, his top control is relentless, and his submission game is lethal. His striking, though not as polished as Maddalena’s, is serviceable enough to set up takedowns and keep opponents guessing.

For Maddalena to win, he must stop the takedown at all costs and force Makhachev into a striking battle he doesn’t want.

Can Jack Della Maddalena Stop the Takedown?

This is the million-dollar question. Maddalena has shown good takedown defense against welterweights, but Makhachev’s level of wrestling is unmatched in MMA today.

If Maddalena can sprawl effectively, use lateral movement, and punish Makhachev on the way in, he has a path to victory. But if the Dagestani gets him down early, it could be a long night.

Roberts Predicts an Upset, But Understands the Challenge

Roberts believes in Maddalena’s chances, but he’s also realistic.

“I believe he can definitely create the upset, some people may hate me for saying that but I’m the one who has been in there with that motherf—er!” Roberts said with a laugh. “He has got a special ability.”

However, Roberts acknowledges that regardless of the outcome, this fight will cement Maddalena’s place among the elite.

“When he fights Makhachev, whether it goes his way or maybe it doesn’t, everyone is going to realize how great he is. That’s regardless of what I believe.”

A Clash of Styles That Will Define Legacies

This fight represents a classic MMA clash: elite wrestler vs. precision striker. It’s the type of matchup that has defined eras in the sport.

If Makhachev wins, he solidifies his claim as the greatest lightweight (and perhaps pound-for-pound fighter) of his generation. If Maddalena wins, he’ll shock the world, breaking one of the most dominant streaks in modern MMA and ushering in a new era.

The X-Factors: Mental Toughness and Fight IQ

Beyond the physical matchup, this fight could come down to mental toughness and fight IQ.

Makhachev has the advantage of years spent in championship rounds and high-pressure situations. He knows how to stay composed when things get tough.

Maddalena, however, has shown an uncanny ability to adapt mid-fight, break opponents mentally, and capitalize on mistakes. If he can rattle Makhachev early, the fight could shift dramatically.

What’s at Stake for Each Fighter?

For Islam Makhachev, a win over Maddalena would add another chapter to his legacy and silence those who question his ability to beat larger, stronger welterweights.

For Jack Della Maddalena, it’s a shot at history. Beating the pound-for-pound king would make him one of the sport’s biggest stars and potentially open doors to super fights at middleweight or even cross-division clashes.

Fight Fans Divided Over the Outcome

The MMA community is split. Some see this as another dominant Makhachev win, while others smell an upset brewing. The betting odds favor the Dagestani, but the money flowing in on Maddalena reflects growing belief in his striking power and mental toughness.

Final Thoughts: Will Maddalena Shock the World?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: this fight has all the ingredients of a classic. A dangerous, confident striker looking to dethrone a grappling phenom with an aura of invincibility.

As Danny Roberts put it: “They are only human. Make them feel human. Then we’ll see what happens.”