Jack della Maddalena will be confronted with a uphill task that tries to beat Pound-for-Pound Great Islam Makhachev in his first defending defense but thinks he can do it.
Danny Roberts was one of the first opponents of the Australian in the UFC and started his run to good weight gold. In fact, prior to the victory over Gilbert Burns who earned him his shot at Belal Muhammad, Roberts was the last Ko victory of JDM.
Roberts is now ready to make his debut with the PFL and will take on the unbeaten Patrick Habirora in Brussels tomorrow night. In the meantime, Della Maddalena is UFC world champion, expected to defend his belt against the legendary lightweight champion Makhachev in November.
Jack della Maddalena has to make Islam Makhachev 'Feel Human' in UFC Title Showdown
The key to beating Islam Makhachev, according to Roberts, lies in passing his appearance of invincibility. He believes that Jack della Maddalena must remember his equity and not concentrate on the report of his decorated rival.
“Everyone is good,” Roberts explained in an exclusive chat with Bloody Elbow. “There is this appearance around Russians and Dagestanis since Khabib who was one of the greatest athletes of all time with what he did. It gives a kind of feeling of immortality with this place in the world.
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“I have been there before with one of them and my coach said at the time:” Let's go inside and let them feel a person “. They are only human, so let's bleed them and do this and do that.
“If you are there with JDM, you immediately feel the pressure and hands he has. I was able to view his performance after our fight and see him grow. I think he is a force to take into account.
“I believe he can certainly create the upset, some people can hate me because they say that, but I am the one who has been there with that bastard – there! I can tell you that he has a special skill.”
Jack della Maddalena was the best opponent of the lace career of Danny Roberts
Roberts has been in the Octagon with some important names, including Mike Perry and Michel Pereira. But he notes that the three and a half minutes he spent with Della Maddalena was enough to know for sure that the current champion was the best opponent he was confronted with.
“Listen, he is champion, so it is impossible to deny that he is the best I fought,” he went on. “Was it the right moment for me? Was all the factors in the fight? Probably not, but regardless of that look at him, you see how casual he was and how relaxed he was, it breeds that level of supreme athlete.
“I feel that he gives that appearance and look, the fight was short-lived, I could not talk to him after the fight and I feel that I might just be a different sport on the ladder for him. The moment I fought him, he was up like a 12-fight winning streak or something.
“Yes, he is definitely a force to take into account and when he is fighting against Makhachev, whether it is his way or maybe not, everyone will realize how great he is. That is no matter what I believe.”