John Kavanagh , Conor McGregor ‘s longtime coach, had a front-row seat to the emotional aftermath of UFC 322, and he walked away with one insight that surprised even him: Jack Della Maddalena didn’t just lose to Islam Makhachev ; he was completely blown away by him. Not by the wrestling or the pace, but by something far more unexpected at welterweight: power.

For days before the fight, the conversation was all about size. Makhachev was the rising champion, whereas Jack was already the natural 170-er. However, when Kavanagh described what JDM told him the night after the bout, it became evident that the physical narrative of UFC 322 did not unfold as fans expected. And privately, the Australian star admitted it himself.

John Kavanagh reveals Jack Della Maddalena was stunned by Isla

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