The UFC 322 main event did not impress Israel Adesanya at first.

Israel Adesanya (Middleweight) MMA Profile - ESPN

After one more event at the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday, the UFC will turn its attention to its latest pay-per-view at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The main event spotlight has gone to newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, who returns for his first defense after unseating Belal Muhammad from the throne this past May.

His first hurdle will be a tough one, as Della Maddalena faces the challenge of Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. And the decision to give the Dagestani a shot at two-division glory in the Australian’s opening defense left Adesanya unsure…

Jack Della Maddalena sends Islam Makhachev revenge message as rival confirms future plan following UFC 315 win

Israel Adesanya initially thought Jack Della Maddalena’s first UFC title defense was ‘disrespectful’

Ahead of the November 15 numbered event at MSG, Adesanya recently interviewed the welterweight king on an episode of his Young Man Ramble podcast.

The former two-time UFC middleweight champ addressed the promotion’s decision to have Della Maddalena defend against a longtime lightweight who is moving up to chase two-division glory in his first fight since winning the belt.

Adesanya admitted he initially found the UFC 322 booking “disrespectful” but soon altered how he looked at the situation, likening it to that of another Australian standout.

“Even for me, the fact that they gave you Islam straightaway, I was thinking…is that disrespectful?

“But then I said, ‘Nah, I won’t say it’s disrespectful — they just respect Islam and they wanna give him the shot for the belt, so he can be like Alex (Volkanovski), try to go double champ status,” he added.

Israel Adesanya’s bold prediction for Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev

Disrespectful or not, Adesanya expects his fellow Oceania star to get past the challenge awaiting him in New York City.

While interviewing Alexander Volkanovski on his YouTube channel earlier this year, Adesanya shared a bold Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev prediction, backing the Australian to knock the Dagestani out.

“This fight, Ben Vickers (Della Maddalena’s coach) said he’s gonna knock (Makhachev) out, and I believe him,” Adesanya said.

“I honestly believe him because I just think he’s not going to be able to hang with him on the scrambles or when he gets back up.

“Della Maddalena is just so stoic, he just focuses on his own game, and when he does that, I really think he’s gonna get him,” he added.