Jorge Masvidal Weighs In on Islam vs JDM But His Pick Might Surprise You
Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal, known for his explosive style and iconic “BMF” belt win, has weighed in on the highly anticipated lightweight title showdown between Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Masvidal broke down the matchup in detail.
Masvidal Thinks Islam’s Wrestling Is a Level Above
Masvidal praised Della Maddalena’s striking but was quick to highlight Islam’s edge on the ground.
“I’m leaning toward Islam, brother,” Masvidal said, citing Makhachev’s “above-level wrestling” and evolving stand-up game.
Earlier this year, Islam Makhachev was predicted to beat Ilia Topuria had they fought at UFC 317, underlining the champion’s dominance.
JDM’s Defense Is Good But Islam Is Smarter
Masvidal noted that Jack “was able to defend takedowns from Belal,” but said “Islam has better technique.”
He called Belal a “dog” for his cardio and aggression but emphasized Islam’s smarter approach and tactical precision.
Arman Tsarukyan’s weight class dilemma sparked similar discussion around style and size, especially among top-ranked lightweights.
Islam’s Best Path: Survive Early, Dominate Late
Masvidal believes Jack may win the early exchanges but Islam’s pace and grappling will take over later.
“Jack has way better hands, but as the rounds go on, Islam takes over,” Masvidal explained.
That comment mirrors what Paddy Pimblett said about Charles Oliveira’s failed gameplan at UFC 317, warning what happens when fighters don’t adapt.
Could JDM Join the Pound-for-Pound Rankings?
“If Jack beats Islam, he’s number one pound-for-pound,” Masvidal added.
That statement echoes the buzz after Topuria’s KO win over Oliveira, which catapulted Ilia to P4P discussions.
But with Islam now eyeing bigger challenges, the outcome of this fight could reshape the lightweight hierarchy and shake up rankings across divisions.
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