UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena is just days away from the biggest fight of his career - and he's predicting a devastating finish.
During the UFC 322 Countdown, the Aussie gave a glimpse into his mindset ahead of his maiden title defence against Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight king moving up to 170 pounds for a shot at two-division glory.
"I see it going similar to the Belal [Muhammad] fight," Della Maddalena said.
"I believe I’ll be able to get back to my feet every round and sting him on the feet, damage him, break him, and then finish him.
"That would be the dream to get a finish at MSG [Madison Square Garden] and blow the roof off the place."
MORE: Paddy Pimblett backs Della Maddalena to 'batter' Makhachev in title fight
Della Maddalena captured the welterweight championship in May with a blood-and-guts unanimous decision over Muhammad at UFC 315 in Montreal.
Now, he welcomes one of the most feared grapplers in UFC history to a new division, where he hopes to stop the Dagestani and extend his winning streak to 19 straight fights.
Makhachev enters the bout as the former lightweight champion and current No.2 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.
He defended his 155-pound belt twice against Della Maddalena's compatriot Alexander Volkanovski - first via razor-thin decision, then by head-kick knockout in the rematch.
Since then, he has dispatched Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, further solidifying his reputation as an unstoppable force... At lightweight.
The question now is whether that dominance will translate when he moves up in weight to face the reigning and defending champion.