The main protagonists of UFC 322, Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, came face-to-face for the final time before their bout, and tensions were exceptionally high.
Della Maddalena and Makhachev are set to clash in the main event of the grand gala at Madison Square Garden in New York, with the welterweight title on the line. The two fighters held their final staredown on Friday afternoon in the “Big Apple,” requiring UFC CEO Dana White to step between them as emotions ran high.
Following the confrontation, Makhachev spoke with UFC 322 commentator Joe Rogan. The former lightweight champion shared his final thoughts ahead of his opportunity to become a two-division UFC champion.
“One day until my dream,” Makhachev stated. “This is the biggest fight of my life. I am ready. Thank you, everyone. See you tomorrow.”
Della Maddalena will be defending his title for the first time, having claimed it with a victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. Amidst a chorus of boos, “JDM,” who enters the fight on an 18-fight winning streak, delivered his final message to the fans.
“Joe, I’m on top of the world,” Della Maddalena declared. “Tomorrow night, I’m keeping my belt. Australia, I’m bringing it home.”