'He was drunk or something': Rising UFC Welterweight prospect rejects DC's claim about him

This week at the UFC Fight Night, a mouth-watering action is set to take over. The main event is the rematch of the UFC 285 Co-main, where Alexa Grasso shocked the world by submitting Valentina Shevchenko. The Women's Flyweight Championship will be on the line at this event. Aside from the headliner fight, It is a stacked-up card and our focus is on the co-main event, which is the Welterweight fight between fight Jack Della Maddalena and Kevin Holland.

The newsmaker

Ahead of the UFC fight night, republicworld.com had an exclusive chat with Jack Della Maddalena, who is looking to extend his undefeated run to 16. He will be up against the Big Mouth. In the conversation, Jack expressed his views on how he will approach the challenge of Trailblazer and also paid heed to Daniel Cormier's recent comments about him.

Excerpts

Q. Kevin Holland is famous for being vocal inside the ring, while fighting. So, how do you intend to shut him up?

Just put my hands on him, I am going to get after him will try and take the talk out of him, will try and damage him and put the pressure on. So, hopefully can't talk, if he is talking then I'll be doing my job. 

I will see, might have to say something if he speaks too much but I will just plan on talking with the hands and landing heavy shots on him (On whether he will talk back in the Octagon this Saturday).

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Q. Your brother Josh has been mimicking Kevin Holland in the training camp. So, what aspects of Holland's potential game plan were you able to pay heed to?

Kevin Holland is pretty unpredictable, hard to really pinpoint what he does. He just a long rangy striker, he is good at whipping his punches, long arms, so he uses his punches as whips, but yeah my brother is tall, good striker, really big, perfect match, match-up and a good training partner to emulate Kevin Holland. 

Q. You have a wonderful record and a huge undefeated streak. What do you think, how a phenomenal record like this plays out? Does it come as a motivation or adds to the pressure?

It comes as motivation and I think everyone would take losses in MMA. I got mine out the way early. Really addicted to winning at the moment, so hopefully will keep performing. 

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Q. You are number 14 in the Welterweight division right now, what do you think a win will do here? Will it elevate you in the division?

I don't think very far. Kevin Holland's just in front of me in the rankings. So, will just steal his stop and look for the next fight.

Q. Thoughts on being the heavy favorite against Kevin Holland.

I think they got it spot on, I think I am the favourite, I am a better fighter.

Q. One of your team members recently criticised Daniel Cormier for saying on air that you were reluctant to take on Bassil Hafez, anything you would like to add? What do you think about what DC said?

No, I don't know, as soon as they gave me any name I said yes. As soon as they (offered a fight), I was really keen to fight. So, as soon as they pitched in Bassil, I was ready to go. It was a good fight and great opportunity for Bassil and I was happy to welcome him, and give him the opportunity. 

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Q. One of your team members recently criticised Daniel Cormier for saying on air that you were reluctant to take on Bassil Hafez, anything you would like to add? What do you think about what DC said?

I don't know where he got that from, I never said no to Bassil. Sean Brady pulled out a week before and then they asked me about wanting to fight someone else and I said yes to him. When that fight fell through, they said doing a fight with Bassil Hafez the next week, and I jumped at the opportunity, no reluctance. I don't know if he was drunk or something, I don't know what he was talking about. 

Q. You are one of the hottest prospects in UFC right now, When can we expect you in the title race?

I think two more wins and I think I will be knocking on the door for the belt, but we see how the rest of the division plays, there are a lot of guys in front of me out but I think very soon. Honestly, whoever, I will fight anyone, anyone in the top 10 will be awesome.

*Watch the LIVE coverage of UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 on 17th September 2023 on Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels at 07.30 AM IST.