Javier Mendez, coach of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, has sent a clear message to welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena ahead of their UFC 322 title fight on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Mendez rejected Della Maddalena’s claim that Makhachev’s striking is weaker than Belal Muhammad’s, warning that Islam’s standup will surprise the Australian. On Submission Radio, Mendez highlighted Makhachev’s 11-year history of dominating strikers and his coaching edge with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Mendez Challenges Della Maddalena’s Claim
Della Maddalena, who took the welterweight title from Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, told The West Sport that Makhachev’s striking is easier to handle because he stays in one stance, unlike Muhammad’s stance-switching. His coach, Ben Vickers, added that Muhammad has a better chin than Makhachev. Mendez pushed back hard.
“I hope he goes in believing that, because when he gets in there with Islam, he’s going to find out a whole different story,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “Because I’m sorry, but they’re completely different, and by no means is Islam easy for anybody in the standup.”
Mendez cited Makhachev’s track record.
“I’ve been with this kid going on 11 years, watching him destroy just everybody in the standup. Guys that are much better standup than him, and he still destroys them. Don’t go by what you see. When you’re in there with that man, it’s a whole different ball game.”
Coaching Strength and Fight Prep
Mendez gave props to Della Maddalena’s grappling, improved by training with Craig Jones, who coached Alexander Volkanovski to a close fight against Makhachev at UFC 284 in 2023.
“He has a really good ground game,” Mendez said. “And having Craig Jones with him, who’s an exceptional world-class grappler that’s a great teacher and has been in the game, he’s been training top-level people, world champions.”
Mendez remains unfazed.
“So, Craig Jones is very formidable, but in my opinion, on my end, I have the greatest of all time being the grappling ace for us, and that’s Khabib. So, when it comes to grappling, I don’t care because I have the best in my coaching staff. I couldn’t care less who they have because I have the best.”
Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight title in May 2025 to chase welterweight gold, is a -260 favorite over Della Maddalena’s +196.
Della Maddalena’s boxing delivers 12 of his 18 wins by KO, with 71% takedown defense. Training with Craig Jones, who faced Chael Sonnen at CJI 2 in August 2025, bolsters his grappling. He aims to keep the fight standing.
Makhachev’s welterweight jump sparked debate. Joe Rogan suggested in June 2025 that Makhachev should face lightweight champ Ilia Topuria, who knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Robert Whittaker warned Makhachev risks his legacy as a favorite. Sean Brady and Din Thomas support Della Maddalena’s power and Jones’ coaching. Michael Bisping called Makhachev’s -278 odds “disrespectful” to Della Maddalena’s 18-fight win streak.
