We are going to find out how much size matters. Both of these guys are very big for their weight class so despite Islam being massive for lightweight and well sized for welterweight, he will absolutely be the smaller fighter here. We haven't seen Islam at 170 yet so i can't really talk to his cardio or if his speed translated. But what i can do is look at their skills. JDM is a striker with great scrambling. Islam is a wrestler with great grappling. I am going with the wrestler here. i think the way Islam enters and changes direction is going to be very different than other looks JDM has had. When Islam eventually gets a takedown his control is incredible. We have seen both of these men go to war in the past and I am expecting this fight to be more of the same. Islam is the pick, but this is an incredible fight and I am very excited to see what the future for this division holds.

Jack Della Maddalena

Jack Maddalena is a high volume striker with an incredible jab. He plots forward on his toes pumps that snappy jab. If his opponent throws back, he does a great job leaving the pocket then re-entering to start firing away again. He has solid power, a nose that faces the wrong direction and jiu jitsu when he needs it. His takedown defense is solid and sits at 69% and he did just defend 6 of Belal's and only give up 3 minutes of control in his title win.

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev is an Insane wrestler with very good hands. His grappling is aggressive and he is always looking to advance, punish or finish. He doesn't just camp out looking for a decision win. He averages more than 3 takedowns per fight and you may think that is low, but unlike other righters, Islam keeps you on the ground, racks up control and works for a finish. When he takes you down, you stay down. He is coming off the short notice switcharoo win Renato Moicano back in January