Charles Oliveira: ‘It’s over’ if Islam Makhachev takes Jack Della Maddalena down

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

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️Charles Oliveira says “it will be over” for Jack Della Maddalena if Islam Makhachev takes him down:

"I think Islam is going to do very well in this weight, right? Now, he's going to be much stronger...



If [JDM] will let Islam grab him and put him down, it's over."… pic.twitter.com/937lhS4f01


— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 23, 2025

Charles Oliveira doesn’t think Jack Della Maddalena can hold his own on the ground against Islam Makhachev.

Makhachev (27-1) had long been eyeing a move up to welterweight, but his friend, former champ Belal Muhammad, stood as a hurdle. However, that changed with Maddalena (18-2) dethroned “Remember the Name” at UFC 315 earlier this month. Makhachev immediately announced a move to 170, with Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White confirming that he will challenge Maddalena for the title next.

Makhachev’s former foe Oliveira (35-10) recently shared his prediction for the upcoming fight. While Oliveira acknowledged Maddalena’s striking skills, he also believes Makhachev will be much stronger after moving up. “Do Bronx” says we’ll have ourselves a fight as long as Maddalena manages to do what he did in his win against Muhammad. However, Oliveira doesn’t think the Australian stands any chance on the ground.

“Maddalena has a very complicated game because he’s a guy who deosn’t come out to knock [you] out fast, he comes to make you hurt. Little by little, right?” Oliveira told Full Violence. “Little by little. That’s what he did now against Belal. But I think Islam is going to do very well in this weight, right? Now he’s going to be much stronger. It’s a game where you just have to grab him and put him down. I think Jack Della Maddalena is going to do the same fight he did now against Belal, hitting, moving, getting out, hurting, it’s a fight. But if you let Islam grab him and take him down, it’s over.”

While Oliveira had been stripped off his title due to a weight miss, the Brazilian was essentially defending his strap when he fought Makhachev at UFC 280 in 2022. Makhachev submitted him in the second round and went on to defend his title four times. Meanwhile, Oliveira has since sandwiched a loss against Arman Tsarukyan between wins over Beneil Dariush and Michael Chandler. Oliveira is now set to fight former featherweight king Ilia Topuria (16-0) for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28.

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Charles Oliveira: ‘It’s Over’ if Islam Makhachev Takes Jack Della Maddalena Down

Charles Oliveira doesn’t think Jack Della Maddalena can hold his own on the ground against Islam Makhachev.

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[Arm Barbarian]

Yeah, Islam has wicked subs, so he likely catches him.

But, Volk held his own on the ground with him, so I will wait and see how JDMs counter wrestling looks before I count him out entirely.

 

[Mammothman]

He is 100% right, Islam grip is crazy strong and with the bulkup and easier weight cut he is about to do some damage at WW

 

[TriangleMonkey]

Tying up with Belal and tying up with Islam is two different animals

 

[Kenny Powerth]

It's still crazy to think how easy Islam destroyed Charlie on the ground

 

[MrBlackheart]

People who think jdm beats Islam because Islam is similar to Belal will be sorely mistaken. When has we seen Belal leg sweep or Judo throw someone? That’s just the top of the iceberg. Islam is a whole new animal. Charles knows. He just couldnt admit it as long as Makhachev was still at LW.

 

[fortheo]

I don't know. I've seen plenty of guys last a long time on the mat with islam. Charles was rocked when islam subbed him, so it's not really the same.

 

[Straight Right]

lol. Poirier won rounds vs islam. JDM is bigger and better than Poirier

 

[helooo]

It's still crazy to think how easy Islam destroyed Charlie on the ground

I think Islam was also a little lucky. Against arman Charles did great and he is 35.

 

[The Big Babou]

It's clear that Islam will be JDM's biggest test but...

He was extremely well prepared for Belal (he had a year to prepare) and he may have cracked the code for fighting Khabib's crew (great coaches)

Logic says Oliveira is correct but JDM has more than a puncher's chance against Islam.

 

[xhaydenx]

Bro's already got CTE just from being matched up with Topuria lol.

JDM sends Islam splashing back to the bathtub within 2 rounds.

 

[SamuraiBro]

The Chad JDM vs The Virgin Do Bronx

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

JDM is gonna surprise a lot of people - he gonna sprawl and brawl like a prime Chuck Liddell.

 

[Cowboy Kurt Angle]

I feel like it’s gonna be super close, Belal was the true test for JDMs takedown defence (he had a broken arm and was battling staph in the Gilbert fight, and had to do a double weight against Basil) he scrambled like crazy in that match and Belal has trained with team Khabib before

But on the flip slide, Belal is 36 not getting any younger has zero submission threat and that’s what gonna be the game changer against Islam, I don’t know if JDM will be able to really scramble as much against Islam with the threat of a Submission, plus I also think Islam will probably be even more muscular and stronger for this fight

 

[mkess101]

People really don't understand the difference in skill grappling-wise between Islam and Belal? Islam is a grappling savant. Belal is (usually) a relentless pace pusher that can outhustle opponents and win through sheer attrition.

Doesn't mean Jack can't win but how he dealt with Belal isn’t some blueprint in how to deal with Islam like it seems some here want to claim. Luckily for Jack his coaches will understand this and likely formulate a gameplan specific to Islam. Will it work? I doubt it. But I won't count Jack out.

 

[RichardHarrow]

I don't know. I've seen plenty of guys last a longtime on the mat with islam. Charles was rocked when islam subbed him, so it's not really the same.

Everytime Charles got rocked and dropped in his previous fights he was tapping dudes out.

 

[gimmick122]

lol. Poirier won rounds vs islam. JDM is bigger and better than Poirier

lol. Belal and Gilbert won rounds vs JDM. Islam is more skilled and better than Belal and Gilbert.

 

[fortheo]

Everytime Charles got rocked and dropped in his previous fights he was tapping dudes out.

And?

 

[RichardHarrow]

And?

…. That was the point.

 

[fortheo]

…. That was the point.

That islam is a better grappler than justin gaethe and many others?