Israel Adesanya has shared his thoughts on the eagerly anticipated UFC 322 main event.
The former two-time UFC middleweight champion believes fans are in for a shock when Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev battle for the welterweight belt on Saturday night.
Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protege is expected to become a two-weight champion by extending his win streak to 16 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Israel Adesanya believes the ex-lightweight titleholder’s legendary run will come to a brutal end at UFC 322.
Israel Adesanya predicts Jack Della Maddalena by KO
Israel Adesanya believes Jack Della Maddalena will knock Islam Makhachev out at UFC 322.
‘The Last Stylebender’ predicts their 170lb title fight could end as early as the second round.
“Bro, I am not trying to count Islam out, but I know Jack,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.
“I know that when Jack keeps getting up, it’s gonna be a problem, and Islam’s gonna be forced to strike, and when he is forced to strike with Jack, he’s gonna get hurt.
“In this fight, I really think that Jack Della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam’s game and just be able to put it on the feet and knock him out, might be second round, might be third.”
Fans react to Israel Adesanya’s bold prediction
A clip of Israel Adesanya’s thoughts about the UFC 322 main event has been shared on X.
It has quickly gained thousands of likes and hundreds of comments from fans, not all of whom agree with the middleweight legend’s bold prediction.
“While I don’t mind a fighter’s perspective, how often are they right? Hardly ever…including Izzy,” one fan said. While another added: “That’s how you know Islam is winning.”
“A striker complimenting another striker against a dominant wrestler,” a third person wrote.
“Great fighter, but worst analytical skills,” someone else commented.
“I would agree with Izzy here, but him and Jack are friends, why tf would he not say this about Jack?” another X user added.
“This fight won’t go the distance, Islam by submission 2nd round,” a sixth person predicted.