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Jack Della Maddalena expects his UFC 315 title fight vs. Belal Muhammad to go through as planned, but will be prepared to fight Ian Machado Garry if his services as the backup are required.
Following his victory over Carlos Prates this past month, Machado Garry (16-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was named as the official backup fighter for the welterweight championship bout between Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) on May 10 at Bell Centre in Montreal (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Della Maddalena is naturally hopeful his chance to fight for the undisputed title materializes without any issues. However, he credits the UFC for having some insurance in case something unforeseen arises.
"100 percent I would be comfortable fighting Ian Garry," Della Maddalena told MMA Junkie on Friday. "I think that's a fight that's going to happen. I've mentally prepared myself for that fight. I reckon I could take him out.
"It is cool because you know for sure. I've had fights for through before and you're stuck in limbo and if anything happens this time, there will be no limbo. There will just be the next man."
Della Maddalena thinks UFC is rewarding Machado Garry for being a company man in recent months and stepping up in some big spots. A position which he said is deserving.
"He had a good win – Prates is a dangerous guy," Della Maddalena said. "I think the UFC, obviously, this is just their way of thanking him for stepping in on those tough fights. So you've got to respect that. Not many people do that sort of thing and step in when fights fall out. Good on him and I think that's the UFC's way of repaying him. It is what it is, however it falls. I think me and Belal now is on and I can't see anything happening with the fight between me and Belal. But if anything changes then no worries on my end."
If UFC 315 proceeds with its current main event, it remains to be seen if Machado Garry actually gets the next title shot against the winner. There are a number of legitimate candidates to fight for the belt at 170 pounds next, from Shavkat Rakhmonov to Sean Brady to possibly even the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley.
There's also the looming presence of lightweight champion and pound-for-pound great Islam Makhachev, who could potentially move up a weight class if Della Maddalena captures gold at UFC 315.
Della Maddalena, 28, said he is not picky when it comes to the opponent for a first potential title defense. And although there are numerous viable contenders who have done their work within the division, he admits the magnitude of a fight vs. Makhachev is hard to ignore.
"It really doesn't matter what any of them think," Della Maddalena said. "It's really who just the UFC are the ones who are going to tell you who gets the next shot. But a lot of competitors. Any one of them, the UFC can announce they are next and you wouldn't be surprised. I think any one of them can get it.
"If Islam after the fight says he wants to step up, I would happily give him the shot. Obviously what he's done, I don't think there would be too many complaints from people that think that's not fair. Hopefully we can do it kind of soon. I think they've got a card in Australia coming up. Obviously not looking past Belal, but would love to fight in Australia."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 315: Jack Della Maddalena reacts to Ian Machado Garry backup role
Continue reading...
Following his victory over Carlos Prates this past month, Machado Garry (16-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was named as the official backup fighter for the welterweight championship bout between Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) on May 10 at Bell Centre in Montreal (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Della Maddalena is naturally hopeful his chance to fight for the undisputed title materializes without any issues. However, he credits the UFC for having some insurance in case something unforeseen arises.
"100 percent I would be comfortable fighting Ian Garry," Della Maddalena told MMA Junkie on Friday. "I think that's a fight that's going to happen. I've mentally prepared myself for that fight. I reckon I could take him out.
"It is cool because you know for sure. I've had fights for through before and you're stuck in limbo and if anything happens this time, there will be no limbo. There will just be the next man."
Della Maddalena thinks UFC is rewarding Machado Garry for being a company man in recent months and stepping up in some big spots. A position which he said is deserving.
"He had a good win – Prates is a dangerous guy," Della Maddalena said. "I think the UFC, obviously, this is just their way of thanking him for stepping in on those tough fights. So you've got to respect that. Not many people do that sort of thing and step in when fights fall out. Good on him and I think that's the UFC's way of repaying him. It is what it is, however it falls. I think me and Belal now is on and I can't see anything happening with the fight between me and Belal. But if anything changes then no worries on my end."
If UFC 315 proceeds with its current main event, it remains to be seen if Machado Garry actually gets the next title shot against the winner. There are a number of legitimate candidates to fight for the belt at 170 pounds next, from Shavkat Rakhmonov to Sean Brady to possibly even the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley.
There's also the looming presence of lightweight champion and pound-for-pound great Islam Makhachev, who could potentially move up a weight class if Della Maddalena captures gold at UFC 315.
Della Maddalena, 28, said he is not picky when it comes to the opponent for a first potential title defense. And although there are numerous viable contenders who have done their work within the division, he admits the magnitude of a fight vs. Makhachev is hard to ignore.
"It really doesn't matter what any of them think," Della Maddalena said. "It's really who just the UFC are the ones who are going to tell you who gets the next shot. But a lot of competitors. Any one of them, the UFC can announce they are next and you wouldn't be surprised. I think any one of them can get it.
"If Islam after the fight says he wants to step up, I would happily give him the shot. Obviously what he's done, I don't think there would be too many complaints from people that think that's not fair. Hopefully we can do it kind of soon. I think they've got a card in Australia coming up. Obviously not looking past Belal, but would love to fight in Australia."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 315: Jack Della Maddalena reacts to Ian Machado Garry backup role
Continue reading...
