Ben Vickers, coach to fighter Jack Della Maddalena, has shared his perspective on a potential future rematch with Islam Makhachev.
Della Maddalena is set to face a formidable opponent in Carlos Prates next. This upcoming bout is crucial for him as he aims to climb back into championship contention following his decisive loss to Islam Makhachev in their previous encounter.
Having held the championship title before his defeat by Makhachev, Della Maddalena now faces the challenge of overcoming some of the welterweight division’s toughest competitors to reclaim his standing.
During a recent interview, coach Ben Vickers offered intriguing insights into the possibility of Della Maddalena squaring off against Makhachev once more.
Della Maddalena’s Coach on His Future Ambitions
Vickers conveyed to Submission Radio his desire for Islam to retain the championship. He revealed that Della Maddalena’s immediate reaction after their first fight was a strong desire for a rematch, specifically against Makhachev for the belt. Jack isn’t looking for someone else to defeat Islam; instead, he is determined to earn another shot at the reigning champion. Therefore, Vickers hopes Makhachev continues to win and defend his title, paving the way for a future encounter.
Acknowledging potential criticism, Vickers stated, “Given how the Islam fight unfolded, I don’t believe we need extensive changes. Rather, the focus is on executing our game plan more effectively.” He admitted that for unknown reasons, their strategy simply didn’t come together on that particular night.
He maintained, “I still believe we had a solid game plan, but for some reason, we couldn’t implement it. Whether it was Islam’s superior performance that night or Jack’s delayed reactions to practiced positions, I don’t think a complete overhaul is necessary to alter the outcome of a future fight with Islam.”
