Makhachev Della Maddalena Predictions and Betting Odds

Reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will face the current welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena. Their bout takes place on 15 November 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Who will win the fight?

Makhachev

7/20

Della Maddalena

2/1

Below is a breakdown of the odds, predictions, and an exclusive preview for the Makhachev vs Della Maddalena fight.

Makhachev vs Della Maddalena Betting Odds

As expected, Islam Makhachev enters as the bookmakers’ favourite. Analysts believe he won’t be troubled by the size difference and may even be the one to dictate the fight on the ground. A bet on Makhachev to win is priced at 7/20

Makhachev vs Della Maddalena Odds

Jack Della Maddalena, however, has already proved that Belal Muhammad’s title reign was only a brief detour in the division’s history. He’s ready to deliver the toughest test of Makhachev’s career. Odds for Della Maddalena to win stand at 9/4

Statistics and Physical Data

Jack has a significant reach advantage and noticeably outmatches his opponent in size. Makhachev is moving up to a new weight division for the first time.

Islam Makhachev

• Current UFC lightweight champion. Russian Combat Sambo and World Sambo champion. International Master of Sports. Three-time UFC Fight of the Night and three-time Performance of the Night winner

• 28 fights, 27 wins, 1 loss

Islam Makhachev to win

Bonus £30

Bet

7/20

After months of uncertainty surrounding the next lightweight title challenger, UFC fans finally get the main event they were waiting for. True to his word, Makhachev has decided to move up in weight after his close teammate Belal Muhammad vacated the welterweight belt.

However, Makhachev’s pursuit of another victory will be anything but straightforward for the Russian champion.

What to expect from Islam Makhachev against Jack Della Maddalena?

Makhachev's team is well aware that repeating Belal Muhammad's mistake of trying to outbox Maddalena is a strategically incorrect decision.

While Islam’s striking has improved dramatically, his punching power may not carry the same threat against naturally bigger welterweights.

Expect Makhachev to start cautiously, read his opponent’s timing, then close the distance quickly and take the fight to the ground — where he’ll look to control Della Maddalena from side mount for long stretches.

Islam Makhachev’s chances to win

They aren’t as clear-cut as bookmakers suggest. In fact, his odds might tighten closer to fight night.

He’s facing one of the best all-around athletes in the division — a fighter with elite boxing, durability, and top-tier takedown defence.

To win, Makhachev will need not only to gain mass but also to adapt to fighting all 25 minutes with the new weight, while maintaining his trademark strength and speed. This will be a more challenging test than his previous encounters with Alexander Volkanovski or Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev’s last 5 Fights

Jack Della Maddalena

• Former Eternal MMA and Reign Fighting welterweight champion. Four-time UFC Performance of the Night and two-time Fight of the Night winner
  

• 19 fights, 17 wins, 2 losses

Jack Della Maddalena to win

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Bet

9/4

A former rugby player and exceptional boxer, Della Maddalena has already impressed fans with standout performances against Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland. His title fight, however, took things to another level — arguably one of the finest boxing displays ever seen in the welterweight division.

Belal Muhammad once insisted that he, not Max Holloway, was the best boxer in the UFC. But with Jack’s arrival, Muhammad surrendered both that title and his championship belt — and it’s hard to see him ever getting them back.

What to expect from Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev?

This isn’t a typical striker-versus-grappler scenario. Della Maddalena holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and while Makhachev tends to dismiss such credentials, Jack’s grappling is world-class.

Early in his career, he even competed at middleweight — so the size gap here will be significant.

Jack’s camp is focused on takedown defence combined with sharp, compact boxing combinations. He’s capable of stunning Makhachev during short exchanges, then circling out and resetting before the next grappling attempt.

Jack Della Maddalena’s chances to win

They’re substantial — not just because of his size, but due to his toughness, stamina, and defensive skillset.

He endured Belal Muhammad’s relentless pressure, countered effectively, and escaped from tight positions without losing composure.

If he’s prepared specifically for Makhachev’s entries and focuses on counterpunching, Jack has every chance of spoiling Islam’s double-champ ambitions.

Maddalena’s last 5 fights 

Makhachev vs Della Maddalena Prediction

While Makhachev’s inner circle continues to tell the media that Jack won’t be able to handle their champion’s pressure, it’s worth taking a more realistic view. In his recent outings, Islam has stopped only two short-notice opponents and a retiring Dustin Poirier.

And let’s be honest — none of them were anywhere near the physical condition Della Maddalena brings into the cage. Jack keeps evolving, tailoring his game to each opponent while steadily sharpening his boxing skills. Watching both men, you get the sense that the word “well-rounded” no longer does justice to their level of versatility.

Nevertheless, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Chad Mendes have never let anyone down. And if Islam can gain the necessary mass without losing endurance, we may see him in a completely new role—as a fighter capable of winning a second belt. Yes, betting on Makhachev today is riskier than ever, but we still believe in his team, preparation, exceptional wrestling skills, and immense motivation.

Our pick: Islam Makhachev to win or Round 4 to start

Islam Makhachev to win

Bonus £40

Bet

7/20

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