Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Describing JDM Punching Power
“He Doesn’t Let You Think”: Ramazan Emeev reveals what was it like getting hit by Jack Della Maddalena
Former UFC fighter Ramazan Emeev opened up about his fight with Jack Della Maddalena, recalling the devastating body shots that folded him from the inside out. Despite nearly submitting the Aussie with his signature anaconda choke, Emeev says Jack’s toughness and striking were on another level.
“He Won With Body Shots”
“He doesn’t give you time to think. He works every level — head, body, legs. When he started digging to the body, my liver and everything just tightened up. I doubled over. After that he hit my temple, but I didn’t even feel that. The only thing I really felt was the body shots.”
Emeev came close to finishing Della Maddalena when he took him down and locked in a tight choke:
“I thought, ‘Thank God he can’t wrestle, I’m going to choke him out.’ He was gurgling, but he defended and stood up. I was in shock. I’ve hit that anaconda choke on so many guys, and they all go out. I put everything into it — all my strength.”
JDM | Getty Images
“Three Years Ago, I Said He’d Be Champion”
Even in defeat, Emeev immediately recognized the potential in Della Maddalena:
“Right after the fight, I told other fighters, ‘This guy is 100% going to be a champion.’ His stance, his composure, the way he escaped the choke — it shocked me. I was sure he’d go out. I poured all my energy into that choke, and he still got out and stood up.”
Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports
“Islam Will Find the Key”
Asked whether Islam Makhachev can land that same anaconda choke, Emeev didn’t hesitate:
“Islam has a great anaconda, though he finishes it differently than me. His grip is so strong — his hands and wrists are incredibly powerful. I’ve trained with him. He’s smart, defensively sound, and doesn’t take damage like Belal did. He’s always composed and times his takedowns perfectly.”
“Maddalena hits hard, but only when you let him. You need to constantly make him fear the takedown.”
Ramazan Emeev | UFC
Emeev’s Final Thoughts
“When I sparred with Islam, he didn’t let me land a single shot or get anything going in the grappling — and I’m heavier than him. His fight IQ is high, his strength is in his hands and grip, which are crucial in grappling exchanges.”
In Emeev’s eyes, Della Maddalena may have champion-level striking and grit — but against a fighter like Makhachev, with elite wrestling, fight IQ, and suffocating control, it’s only a matter of time.
Source: “В шоке, как Маддалена вырвался из моей анаконды!” / Кисти Махачева, греко-римская Анкалаева / ЭМЕЕВ
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