‘I love this s***’: Aussie champ responds to NY crowd’s shock act as rival sends huge warning

Jack Della Maddalena was met with an unfriendly reception in New York at the UFC 322 press conference, with a surprising amount of fight fans booing him and chanting Islam Makhachev’s name.

UFC welterweight champ Della Maddalena and MMA bogeyman Makhachev met on Friday at Madison Square Garden for the official UFC 322 pre-fight presser – and though things were mostly respectful, the tension was obvious.

The Aussie is not just defending his championship strap in the headliner this weekend, he’s attempting to do something that no man has done in nearly a decade – defeat Makhachev.

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev | SUN 16 NOV 2PM AEDT | Australia’s own Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Pound for Pound great and former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster night of fights, live from New York City. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Responding to the rowdy crowd, Della Maddalena announced that he wasn’t at all intimidated at all.

“I love this s**t!” said JDM.

“This is the atmosphere I’m looking for on Saturday night. It’ll be a good night.”

Makhachev, cheered from the moment he appeared on stage, embraced all his supporters in NYC.

“It’s amazing,” he said.

“When I was in Australia the crowd support my opponent, when I’m in New York they support me.”

He added: “This is my dream. I’m very close to my dream. My dream to become double champion. Two more days.”

The Dagestani fighter was seated with a UFC belt in front of him, despite not being a current champion of any division. When asked about this, he only smiled.

JDM frothing during intense face-off! | 00:55

“I feel I’m still the champion,” he said confidently.

“I don’t lose my belt to anyone. I’m just coming to get second one.”

When asked by a reporter if he had a message for Australia, he paused for a moment to think.

“Australia. It’s good place,” he said.

“I was there, I like it.

“I’m three-zero, now I make it four.”

JDM has been praised as having the best boxing in the UFC, but Makhachev didn’t seem at all worried about the Aussie’s hands when questioned about it.

“I don’t know,” he said.

“All fighters have good striking. Jack one of the best, but I also am good striker.

“Let’s see who is better.”

Islam’s cheeky message to Australians | 00:46

Della Maddalena was questioned about the booming state of MMA in Australia and what he puts it down to.

“I’m proud to be Australian and raise the flag,” he said.

“Australia is very competitive and has a fighting culture and that’s why we are doing so well.

“We have two champions and after this weekend we will still have two champions.”

If Makhachev wins on Sunday he will extend his daunting win-streak and go down in history as one of the best to ever step into the Octagon.

When asked how he will celebrate afterwards, he had one idea his supporters liked.

“Maybe all you guys can come to Dagestan and we celebrate together,” he said to the cheering crowd.

“For two or three years.”

Islam opens up on double champ ambition | 01:07

After the questions, the fighters lined up to face off and things got interesting as Della Maddalena and Makhachev came nose-to-nose in a tense stare-down.

Neither fighter would break eye contact and UFC boss Dana White was eventually forced to stand between the rivals.

Even after each fighter was given a title belt to pose with, the tension was clear.