Here’s a bold statement: Jack Della Maddalena’s loss at UFC 322 wasn’t just a defeat—it’s sparked a heated debate about the strategies fighters use to counter dominant grapplers like Islam Makhachev. But here’s where it gets controversial: While Craig Jones’ system is widely praised, former ONE Championship standout Reece McLaren believes he might have a better approach. And this is the part most people miss—McLaren isn’t just throwing shade; he’s drawing from his own experience battling top-tier grapplers without ever being dominated on the ground.
Jack Della Maddalena’s decision to drop his 170-pound title to Makhachev has left fans and analysts dissecting every detail of the fight. Enter Reece McLaren, a fellow Australian MMA veteran, who thinks JDM’s strategy—crafted by Craig Jones—might not have been the most effective. McLaren, no stranger to high-stakes combat, suggests there’s a more nuanced way to counter the relentless submission grappling style that fighters from the Caucasus mountains, like Makhachev, are known for.
Craig Jones, who also trained Alexander Volkanovski for his bouts against Makhachev, has built a reputation for developing strategies to neutralize this dominant style. However, McLaren questions whether Jones’ approach truly addresses the core issues that kept JDM on the defensive. In a recent interview [via Bowks Talking Bouts (https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/kyoji-horiguchi/kyoji-horiguchi-is-at-a-perfect-time-to-get-that-belt-says-sergio-pettis-ahead-of-the-formers-return-at-ufc-qatar/)], McLaren shared his thoughts:
‘It was tough to watch. Jack seemed off, maybe due to an injury or his back issues—rumors were floating around about that. Craig’s system is incredible, no doubt, but I genuinely believe I’ve got something better. I’ve faced some of the best grapplers in the game and never been controlled. It’s about addressing the root problem, and I don’t think Jack’s team did that.’
Here’s the controversial part: McLaren hints that Jones’ strategy might have overlooked key details, like the cross-face control that seemed to neutralize JDM. He argues that without addressing specific techniques—like the octopus guard or reverse K—fighters risk staying stuck on the ground. McLaren admits he hasn’t seen the full fight yet (thanks to the frustration of navigating platforms like Fight Pass and Kayo), but the highlights alone suggest missed opportunities.
When pressed about what makes his system superior, McLaren explained [via Bowks Talking Bouts (https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/justin-gaethjes-teammate-addresses-rumors-of-ilia-topuria-title-bout/)]:
‘I can’t pinpoint exactly what’s different, but I know I tackle the problem head-on. It’s about identifying what’s keeping you down and countering it effectively. From what I’ve seen, Jack’s issues weren’t fully addressed. The cross-face seemed to be the real culprit, and without neutralizing that, it’s hard to escape.’
Despite the loss, McLaren is quick to praise JDM’s resilience: ‘Jack’s a beast. He’ll be back, and when he is, he’ll be unstoppable.’
Now, here’s the question for you: Is Reece McLaren onto something, or is Craig Jones’ system still the gold standard for countering grapplers like Makhachev? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
