Della Maddalena v Makhachev - UFC super-fight predictions

Islam Makhachev steps up to welterweight to face champion Jack della Maddalena at UFC 322 on Saturday in Madison Square Garden.

The Russian is aiming to becoming a two-weight UFC champion and has a record of 27 wins and just one loss.

Makhachev has not lost a fight since 2015, but faces the newly crowned champion Della Maddalena.

The Australian is on a similarly unbeaten streak since 2016 after losing his first two fights.

Can Makhachev join an elite club of two-weight UFC champions or will Della Maddalena continue his rapid rise with a victory over the UFC's pound-for-pound number two?

Figures from the world of MMA have given their predictions below.

"I keep going back and forth to see who wins. I think it depends on how Islam looks at 170lb. If he comes out and heavy wrestles then I probably edge Islam. I feel like we'll know from the first round how the fight will go. JDM does get taken down, but he's great at getting back to his feet. Islam has shown cardio issues. I'm 50/50."

Prediction – 50/50

"This is a super-fight going down in Madison Square Garden, and this is Jack della Maddalena's first defence. On Instagram last week I said that Jack was going to win, but now I think about it more," continued Bisping. "The more I thought about it the more I started to think Islam wins this fight."

Prediction - Makhachev

"I am going Jack."

Prediction – Della Maddalena

"With the weight stuff, I feel when you're that good, it doesn't really matter. But when you got someone that good, that's heavier, that can be a problem. And Jack Della is that good, especially on the feet. That extra weight, tough as nails. I'm going with the underdog, Jack della Maddalena."

Prediction – Della Maddalena

"Jack della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam's game and put it on the feet and knock him out, might be second round, might be third."

Prediction – Della Maddalena

"Call me crazy, but I'm running with Jack on this one. I think the first two rounds are going to be super competitive, and we're going see how the fight is going to play out. I think Jack's takedown defence is going to be huge here. I think he's going to defend a bunch of takedowns, and he's going to get Islam tired. A lot of people keep saying that Islam doesn't get tired, but in fights, you can see it. He just doesn't get as tired as the other guy."

Prediction – Della Maddalena

"I was leaning towards Makhachev but sometimes he fights perfect and sometimes he gives up things. I think I am leaning towards JDM now. But I don't know. If JDM comes in and establish his feints and range, I think he's going be a really difficult fight. And then Makhachev, adjusting to the weight is not that easy, but I am leaning towards JDM."

Prediction - Della Maddalena

"I'm going to go with Islam. I think it's going to be a close fight. I think he's going to squeak out a close fight. God, I don't know. I hate guessing fights, man. I hate guessing fights, but I'm going to go with Islam."

Prediction - Makhachev

"I feel this has implications of fight of the year. For JDM to win, he's got to press Islam Makhachev, force him to fight. He has to do everything in his power to not let Islam take him down. The problem is can he do it? For Islam, he's got to take the fight to the ground because JDM's hands are super good. I am on the fence."

Prediction – 50/50