Dustin Poirier knows the challenge of facing Islam Makhachev’s grappling. In an MMA Junkie interview, the UFC star shared his thoughts on a potential welterweight title fight between Makhachev and champion Jack Della Maddalena. Poirier, who fought Makhachev in June 2024, said the first two rounds will be key.
Poirier’s Breakdown
Poirier lost to Makhachev by fifth-round submission at UFC 302. He believes Makhachev’s takedown threat forces a different fighting style.
“I think we’ll find out in the first or second round how much trouble [Makhachev] has getting [Della Maddalena] down. I think if he gets those takedowns, he’s going to get the win. If Jack can stop those takedowns, he does have good takedown defense…I think the boxing and the size could wear on Islam and give him some problems. But Islam’s striking is awkward and different. You have to worry so much about the takedown,” he said.
He added, “You can’t plant your feet and throw off those number combinations and really rip and sit on your punches because he’s going to change levels, so it changes the way you fight. For me, it did. I’m speaking from experience. We’ll see how Jack approaches and how Jack executes out there, but if you’re worried about takedowns, your shots are different. You’re not sitting on everything and standing in front of the guy, you’re trying to move and be light on your feet. I think the first two rounds will tell us how the fight is going to go.” via MMAJunkie
Maddalena’s size and striking could trouble Makhachev if he keeps it standing, but grappling is key, per Poirier. The fight is eyed for November 2025 at Madison Square Garden.
Makhachev, 34, has a 27-1 record. He won the UFC lightweight title in 2022 by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 and defended it four times, including against Alexander Volkanovski and Poirier. He vacated the lightweight belt in 2025 to chase the welterweight title.
A Dagestani wrestler, he noted Maddalena’s takedown defense as a challenge. Maddalena, 28, has an 18-2 record and won the welterweight title by outstriking Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May 2025, earning a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. The Australian, 8-0 in the UFC, has 12 knockouts and four submissions.
Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, sees Maddalena as a tough opponent due to his size and skills. Makhachev focused on this matchup after talks with UFC’s Hunter Campbell. Maddalena’s improved takedown defense, shown against Muhammad, impressed Makhachev.
The Makhachev-Maddalena fight isn’t confirmed but is targeted for a UFC pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden. If Maddalena stops takedowns, his power could shine, but Makhachev’s ground game is a tough test.
