As UFC 322 approaches, MVP delivered a prediction that sounds bold to some and surprisingly realistic to others.
His words challenge the entire mythology surrounding Islam Makhachev — his top control, his pressure, and the aura that follows him.
Page’s central idea: scrambling as the great equalizer
For him, the key is simple:
Jack Della Maddalena’s scramble is not just good — it’s elite.
This leads to a deeper question:
How does a grinding, suffocating wrestling system deal with someone who refuses to stay still in the first place?
Why Page doubts Makhachev’s control
He argues:
“If Islam gets him down, I don’t think he keeps him down.”
That’s not hype — it’s a direct challenge to the foundation of Makhachev’s game.
The one danger
Page only sees one opening for disaster: a wrong attempt to stand up, leaving JDM vulnerable to one of Makhachev’s trademark chokes.
But aside from that, he believes:
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JDM is the better striker
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the better scrambler
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and the better defender of takedowns and submissions
Between reality and reputation
This entire analysis invites a key journalistic question:
Are predictions based on facts… or on the aura of dominance surrounding certain fighters?
Especially when JDM has repeatedly won fights where he entered as the underdog — just as Israel Adesanya highlighted.
