Team Khabib coach Javier Mendez has acknowledged that Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight won’t be easy. But the whole team is laser-focused on preparing Makhachev for his title fight against Jack Della Maddalena. Recently, Mendez revealed the game plan for the fight.

Fans have seen the Dagestani fighter rely heavily on wrestling in his game plan. But as he prepares for JDM, who’s bigger in size, Makhachev might struggle with takedowns. Recently, Team Khabib’s coach said the former lightweight champion isn’t planning to take Della Maddalena down. In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, Mendez said:

“If Islam has to stand with him just because Islam can’t take him down, then he’ll stand with him— We’re not looking to take Jack to the ground.”

JDM has fought heavy grapplers before a

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