Latest news with #DellaMaddalena
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Why Jack Della Maddalena sees Islam Makhachev's striking 'easier' than Belal Muhammad's
Why Jack Della Maddalena sees Islam Makhachev's striking 'easier' than Belal Muhammad's UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena points out the differences in Islam Makhachev and Belal Muhammad's game. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) to become welterweight champion in the UFC 315 headliner earlier this month in Montreal. With Makhachev vacating his UFC lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds, he is expected to challenge Della Maddalena later in the year. While Della Maddalena sees Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) as the better overall fighter than Muhammad, he explains why he sees his striking as less of a problem. "I think Islam Makhachev is a better version of Belal," Maddalena told "The West Sport." "I think his striking on the feet is easier than Belal, because he'll stay in one stance. He's more a traditional style. But yeah, he's a pound-for-pound No. 1, so it's a tough fight. But we'll watch all his fights again, make a solid game plan and just start working on it from pretty much now." Della Maddalena will likely have to impose a similar game plan as his fight with Muhammad, where he was able to stuff the majority of his takedowns and outstrike him on the feet. "I'm going to start working on ways to beat him, different ways to get back on my feet and stuffing the takedown," Della Maddalena continued. "But I'm pretty confident I can get this one done. After the last two fights, I've spent a bit of my time in Wollongong. So yeah, I think probably the first stop, we go to Wollongong, talk to Volk, see what he reckons." Volkanovski fought Makhachev twice in UFC lightweight title bouts. Although he lost both times, he was able to push Makhachev to the brink in their first fight at UFC 284.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
I'm coming for your scalp, says new Aussie UFC champ
He endured months of agony and uncertainty to get to the top, now Australia's new UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena wants to go bounty hunting. Della Maddalena became just the third Australian to win a UFC crown when he defeated Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title showdown in Montreal earlier this month. Making the feat all the more remarkable is the fact Della Maddalena was fighting for the first time since suffering a career-threatening broken arm 14 months earlier. The 28-year-old West Australian ended up needing four rounds of surgery due to a series of infections, and there were even fears at one point he may lose his arm. Once the infections cleared, Della Maddalena was able to get down to business and his intense training program paid dividends with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad. The next fight on Della Maddalena's agenda is almost certain to be against the current pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who has vacated his lightweight crown in order to have a crack at welterweight glory. Della Maddalena isn't planning on giving up the belt he's worked so hard to get. "The belt's special. Every time I look at it, I'm very proud," Della Maddalena told AAP after returning to Perth this week. "But I didn't do it for the belt. I like the challenge, I like fighting. "The fight itself is what I live for. Every fighter presents different challenges. "I also do it for the record, for the names on my resume." Della Maddalena's current list of 'scalps' features the likes of Muhammad, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland and Bassil Hafez among his perfect 8-0 UFC record. So what does he think about it? "So far so good, but I think I've got some work to do," Della Maddalena said. "I guess the real work begins now. "Islam is going to be another great name on the list, and then I can start ticking off the next challenge." Della Maddalena initially hoped he could defend his welterweight title against Makhachev in Perth. Those hopes have since been shot down, given the event in Perth later this year is merely a fight night rather than a blockbuster event. With Perth off the cards, Della Maddalena's next choice is to hold it at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. "Perth would be awesome, I just don't think it's happening," Della Maddalena said. "They have the event here in Perth in September, but the UFC are strong on their guns that it's just going to be a fight night event. "And they've got a rule - they don't put champions on fight night events. "So the next place - I think Madison Square Garden would be pretty cool. "There's been the Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier at the venue, there's been big basketball matches with some of the greats. It's such an incredible city." He endured months of agony and uncertainty to get to the top, now Australia's new UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena wants to go bounty hunting. Della Maddalena became just the third Australian to win a UFC crown when he defeated Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title showdown in Montreal earlier this month. Making the feat all the more remarkable is the fact Della Maddalena was fighting for the first time since suffering a career-threatening broken arm 14 months earlier. The 28-year-old West Australian ended up needing four rounds of surgery due to a series of infections, and there were even fears at one point he may lose his arm. Once the infections cleared, Della Maddalena was able to get down to business and his intense training program paid dividends with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad. The next fight on Della Maddalena's agenda is almost certain to be against the current pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who has vacated his lightweight crown in order to have a crack at welterweight glory. Della Maddalena isn't planning on giving up the belt he's worked so hard to get. "The belt's special. Every time I look at it, I'm very proud," Della Maddalena told AAP after returning to Perth this week. "But I didn't do it for the belt. I like the challenge, I like fighting. "The fight itself is what I live for. Every fighter presents different challenges. "I also do it for the record, for the names on my resume." Della Maddalena's current list of 'scalps' features the likes of Muhammad, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland and Bassil Hafez among his perfect 8-0 UFC record. So what does he think about it? "So far so good, but I think I've got some work to do," Della Maddalena said. "I guess the real work begins now. "Islam is going to be another great name on the list, and then I can start ticking off the next challenge." Della Maddalena initially hoped he could defend his welterweight title against Makhachev in Perth. Those hopes have since been shot down, given the event in Perth later this year is merely a fight night rather than a blockbuster event. With Perth off the cards, Della Maddalena's next choice is to hold it at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. "Perth would be awesome, I just don't think it's happening," Della Maddalena said. "They have the event here in Perth in September, but the UFC are strong on their guns that it's just going to be a fight night event. "And they've got a rule - they don't put champions on fight night events. "So the next place - I think Madison Square Garden would be pretty cool. "There's been the Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier at the venue, there's been big basketball matches with some of the greats. It's such an incredible city." He endured months of agony and uncertainty to get to the top, now Australia's new UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena wants to go bounty hunting. Della Maddalena became just the third Australian to win a UFC crown when he defeated Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title showdown in Montreal earlier this month. Making the feat all the more remarkable is the fact Della Maddalena was fighting for the first time since suffering a career-threatening broken arm 14 months earlier. The 28-year-old West Australian ended up needing four rounds of surgery due to a series of infections, and there were even fears at one point he may lose his arm. Once the infections cleared, Della Maddalena was able to get down to business and his intense training program paid dividends with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad. The next fight on Della Maddalena's agenda is almost certain to be against the current pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who has vacated his lightweight crown in order to have a crack at welterweight glory. Della Maddalena isn't planning on giving up the belt he's worked so hard to get. "The belt's special. Every time I look at it, I'm very proud," Della Maddalena told AAP after returning to Perth this week. "But I didn't do it for the belt. I like the challenge, I like fighting. "The fight itself is what I live for. Every fighter presents different challenges. "I also do it for the record, for the names on my resume." Della Maddalena's current list of 'scalps' features the likes of Muhammad, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland and Bassil Hafez among his perfect 8-0 UFC record. So what does he think about it? "So far so good, but I think I've got some work to do," Della Maddalena said. "I guess the real work begins now. "Islam is going to be another great name on the list, and then I can start ticking off the next challenge." Della Maddalena initially hoped he could defend his welterweight title against Makhachev in Perth. Those hopes have since been shot down, given the event in Perth later this year is merely a fight night rather than a blockbuster event. With Perth off the cards, Della Maddalena's next choice is to hold it at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. "Perth would be awesome, I just don't think it's happening," Della Maddalena said. "They have the event here in Perth in September, but the UFC are strong on their guns that it's just going to be a fight night event. "And they've got a rule - they don't put champions on fight night events. "So the next place - I think Madison Square Garden would be pretty cool. "There's been the Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier at the venue, there's been big basketball matches with some of the greats. It's such an incredible city."
The Age
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Perth UFC champ would love a hometown fight, but failing that? ‘Madison Square Garden'
He endured months of agony and uncertainty to get to the top, now Western Australia's new UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena wants to go bounty hunting. Della Maddalena became just the third Australian to win a UFC crown when he defeated Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title showdown in Montreal earlier this month. Making the feat all the more remarkable is the fact Della Maddalena was fighting for the first time since suffering a career-threatening broken arm 14 months earlier. The 28-year-old West Australian ended up needing four rounds of surgery due to a series of infections, and there were even fears at one point he may lose his arm. Once the infections cleared, Della Maddalena was able to get down to business and his intense training program paid dividends with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad. Loading The next fight on Della Maddalena's agenda is almost certain to be against the current pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who has vacated his lightweight crown in order to have a crack at welterweight glory. Della Maddalena isn't planning on giving up the belt he's worked so hard to get. 'The belt's special. Every time I look at it, I'm very proud,' Della Maddalena told media after returning to Perth this week.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Perth UFC champ would love a hometown fight, but failing that? ‘Madison Square Garden'
He endured months of agony and uncertainty to get to the top, now Western Australia's new UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena wants to go bounty hunting. Della Maddalena became just the third Australian to win a UFC crown when he defeated Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title showdown in Montreal earlier this month. Making the feat all the more remarkable is the fact Della Maddalena was fighting for the first time since suffering a career-threatening broken arm 14 months earlier. The 28-year-old West Australian ended up needing four rounds of surgery due to a series of infections, and there were even fears at one point he may lose his arm. Once the infections cleared, Della Maddalena was able to get down to business and his intense training program paid dividends with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad. Loading The next fight on Della Maddalena's agenda is almost certain to be against the current pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who has vacated his lightweight crown in order to have a crack at welterweight glory. Della Maddalena isn't planning on giving up the belt he's worked so hard to get. 'The belt's special. Every time I look at it, I'm very proud,' Della Maddalena told media after returning to Perth this week.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
I'm coming for your scalp, says new Aussie UFC champ
He endured months of agony and uncertainty to get to the top, now Australia's new UFC champion Jack Della Maddalena wants to go bounty hunting. Della Maddalena became just the third Australian to win a UFC crown when he defeated Belal Muhammad in a welterweight title showdown in Montreal earlier this month. Making the feat all the more remarkable is the fact Della Maddalena was fighting for the first time since suffering a career-threatening broken arm 14 months earlier. The 28-year-old West Australian ended up needing four rounds of surgery due to a series of infections, and there were even fears at one point he may lose his arm. Once the infections cleared, Della Maddalena was able to get down to business and his intense training program paid dividends with a unanimous decision victory over Muhammad. The next fight on Della Maddalena's agenda is almost certain to be against the current pound-for-pound champion Islam Makhachev, who has vacated his lightweight crown in order to have a crack at welterweight glory. Della Maddalena isn't planning on giving up the belt he's worked so hard to get. "The belt's special. Every time I look at it, I'm very proud," Della Maddalena told AAP after returning to Perth this week. "But I didn't do it for the belt. I like the challenge, I like fighting. "The fight itself is what I live for. Every fighter presents different challenges. "I also do it for the record, for the names on my resume." Della Maddalena's current list of 'scalps' features the likes of Muhammad, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland and Bassil Hafez among his perfect 8-0 UFC record. So what does he think about it? "So far so good, but I think I've got some work to do," Della Maddalena said. "I guess the real work begins now. "Islam is going to be another great name on the list, and then I can start ticking off the next challenge." Della Maddalena initially hoped he could defend his welterweight title against Makhachev in Perth. Those hopes have since been shot down, given the event in Perth later this year is merely a fight night rather than a blockbuster event. With Perth off the cards, Della Maddalena's next choice is to hold it at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. "Perth would be awesome, I just don't think it's happening," Della Maddalena said. "They have the event here in Perth in September, but the UFC are strong on their guns that it's just going to be a fight night event. "And they've got a rule - they don't put champions on fight night events. "So the next place - I think Madison Square Garden would be pretty cool. "There's been the Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier at the venue, there's been big basketball matches with some of the greats. It's such an incredible city."
