This week’s UFC Fight Night will see some exciting action. The main event is the UFC 285 Co-main rematch 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’s a stacked card and we’re focusing on the main event, which is a welterweight bout between Jack Dell’Maddalen and Kevin Holland.

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Ahead of UFC fight night, republicworld.com had an exclusive interview with Jack Della Maddalena, who is looking to extend his undefeated streak to 16. He will be facing Big Mouth. In the interview, Jack gave his thoughts on how he will approach the challenge of Trailblazer and also paid attention to Daniel Cormier’s recent comments about him.

excerpts

Q: Kevin Holland is known for singing in the ring during fights. So how do you want to close it?

Just put your hands on him, I’ll go after him, try to knock him out, try to damage him and apply pressure. So hopefully I can’t talk, if he talks I’ll do my job.

I’ll see, I might have to say something if he talks too much, but I plan on talking with my hands and taking shots at him (on whether he’s going to speak in the Octagon this Saturday).

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Q. Your brother Josh used to imitate Kevin Holland in training camp. So, what aspects of Holland’s potential game plan could you pay attention to”

Kevin Holland is quite unpredictable, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what he’s doing. He’s just a long striker, he’s good at whipping, long arms, so he uses his punches like whips, but yeah, my brother is tall, a good striker, really big, perfect match, match and a good training partner to emulate Kevin Holland.

Q. You have a great record and a huge undefeated streak. What do you think a phenomenal recording like this looks like? Does it come as motivation or does it add pressure?

It comes as a motivation and I think anyone would take losing in MMA. I got mine out of the way early. I’m really addicted to winning at the moment so I hope it continues.

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Q. You’re currently #14 in the Welterweight division, what do you think a win here will do? Will it move you up the division?

I think not very far. Kevin Holland is just ahead of me in the rankings. So he steals his stop and looks for another fight.

Q: Thoughts on being a heavy favorite against Kevin Holland.

I think they did it, I think I’m the favorite, I’m the better fighter.

Q: One of your team members recently criticized Daniel Cormier for saying on air that you were reluctant to take on Bassil Hafez, whatever you want to add, “What do you think about what DC said?”

No, I don’t know, as soon as they gave me a name, I said yes. As soon as they (offered a fight), I really wanted to fight. So, as soon as they set up in Bassil, I was ready to go. It was a good fight and a 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 criticized Daniel Cormier for saying on air that you were reluctant to take on Bassil Hafez, whatever you want to add, “What do you think about what DC said?”

I don’t know where he got it from, I never said no to Bassil. Sean Brady pulled out a week ago and then they asked me if I wanted to fight someone else and I said yes. When that fight fell through, they said we were going to fight Bassil Hafez next week and I jumped at the chance, without hesitation. I don’t know if he was drunk or what, I don’t know what he was talking about.

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

I think two more wins and I think I’ll be knocking on doors up to my waist but we’ll see how the rest of the division plays, there’s a lot of guys ahead of me but I think very soon. Honestly, anyone, I’ll fight anyone, anyone in the top 10 will be awesome.

*Watch UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 LIVE on 17 September 2023 on Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) at 07:30 IST.