Latest news with #JackDellaMaddalena
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
UFC announces return to Perth, Australia in September
The UFC made official on Monday its return to the city of Perth, Western Australia. The fourth-most populous city in Australia will host UFC Fight Night on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. It's the fourth time the city will host a UFC event, but it will be the first time the city will receive a UFC Fight Night, rather than a pay-per-view event. Perth previously staged UFC 221 in February of 2018, UFC 284 in February of 2023 and UFC 305 in August of 2024. No bouts have been revealed, though numerous UFC fighters hail from Australia, including featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
The Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Khabib Nurmagomedov claims Jack Della Maddalena is tougher test than Ilia Topuria for Islam Makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov has claimed that his friend and mentee Islam Makhachev will have a tougher time against Jack Della Maddalena than he would against Ilia Topuria. Makhachev followed in the footsteps of Khabib, his childhood friend, by winning the UFC lightweight title in 2022, but he gave up the belt in June to pursue the welterweight title. The Russian, 33, is expected to challenge Della Maddalena for that strap later this year, though many fans would have preferred to see Makhachev keep the lightweight title and defend it against Topuria. Topuria vacated the featherweight belt in February with an eye on a lightweight title shot, and he ended up fighting Charles Oliveira for the vacant gold after Makhachev left the division. Topuria knocked out Oliveira in round one to stay unbeaten. But while many fans see Topuria vs Makhachev as arguably the best fight that could be made in MMA right now, Khabib thinks 'JDM' will be a tougher foe for his friend than Topuria would. 'I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam's career,' the retired Khabib, 36, told Adam Zubayraev in Russian. 'That's my opinion. 'Not Charles, no one else,' he added, referencing Makhachev's submission of Oliveira to win the lightweight title. 'None of those other fighters. That's just my personal opinion. 'First of all, Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia. Taller, bigger, stronger legs, bigger frame. His boxing is just as good, and in grappling, he scrambles really well – if you've watched him. 'For me, if I were preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I'd be more concerned – and am more concerned – about Maddalena.' Della Maddalena, 28, won the welterweight title in May by outpointing Belal Muhammad, a teammate of Makhachev. The Australian put on a clinic in striking and defensive wrestling, extending his win streak to 18. JDM actually lost his first two MMA fights, in 2016, but he has not lost since. He now prepares to face a fighter on a 15-fight win streak in Makhachev. The latter's sole loss in MMA occurred in 2015, when he was knocked out by Adriano Martins, but his ensuing dominance has drawn comparisons to that of Khabib. While Makhachev is a much more dynamic striker than Nurmagomedov was, Makhachev is similarly effective with his wrestling. Nurmagomedov retired unbeaten in 2020 after retaining the lightweight title for a then-record-equalling third time. He proceeded to move into coaching, helping guide Makhachev to a record-breaking four lightweight title defences. Most fans see Makhachev or Topuria as the UFC's current pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, with the other as No 2.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
UFC heads back to Perth with 'Fight Night' debut this September
The UFC has announced its return to Perth, Australia, on September 28, 2025, for a Fight Night event. This marks Perth's fourth time hosting a UFC event, but its first Fight Night, raising anticipation due to Australia's strong MMA scene. Homegrown champions like Alexander Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena add to the excitement. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The UFC officially confirmed on Monday that it will return to Perth , Western Australia, with UFC Fight Night set for Sunday, September 28, 2025. This marks the fourth time Perth will host a UFC event, but notably, it will be the city's first-ever Fight Night card, as all previous events were pay-per-view previously hosted UFC 221 in February 2018, UFC 284 in February 2023, and UFC 305 in August 2024. While no matchups have been announced yet, anticipation is high given Australia's strong MMA presence, including homegrown champions Alexander Volkanovski (featherweight) and Jack Della Maddalena (welterweight).Since the Perth event is a Fight Night and not a pay-per-view, the chances of Jack Della Maddalena defending his welterweight title against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev there are virtually Perth event takes place just a month before the UFC's annual marquee pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi, increasing the likelihood that Jack and Islam could appear in Perth - if not to fight, then at least to help promote a potential showdown in Abu Dhabi.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC announces return to Perth
The UFC is headed back to Perth, Western Australia. For the first time, Perth will host a UFC Fight Night rather than a pay-per-view. The event takes place Sept. 27 (Sept. 28 locally) at RAC Arena. The card will be the fourth the city has hosted in UFC history. The other three were UFC 221 (February 2018), UFC 284 (February 2023) and UFC 305 (August 2024). The promotion announced the event officially Monday, though no bouts were revealed. The Oceanic region is home to numerous UFC fighters, including featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. With a title unlikely to be on the line, ranked fighters from the region who do not have a fight on the books who could headline the event include Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, and Kai Kara-France.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen Thompson explains being against Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev next
Stephen Thompson doesn't think Jack Della Maddalena should face Islam Makhachev for his first UFC welterweight title defense. Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Belal Muhammad to claim the belt at UFC 315 in May. That immediately set up his first title defense against Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), who relinquished his lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds. Advertisement Thompson's issue isn't so much about Makhachev. It's more about Della Maddalena, whom he says should be granting the opportunity to top contenders first after having just won the belt. "First off, I've got to say, if I was Shavkat Rakhmonov or Ian Garry, or somebody that is right there who's worked really hard to get there, I'd be pretty pissed," Thompson told MMA Junkie. "Because this guy JDM just got the title and then he's giving somebody else a shot at what I've earned the right to have, which is a title shot. Like, give JDM one or two more guys. If he beats them, then give him somebody outside the division. But I would be kind of pissed. I'd be kind of upset that they're giving this guy immediately somebody from the 155-pound division." That being said, former title challenger Thompson sees Della Maddalena being a stern test for Makhachev. "Now, I think it's a very tough fight for Islam Makhachev," Thompson said. "Bigger guy, somebody who won the title from somebody with a similar style in Belal Muhammad. I do believe Islam Makhachev's striking is a lot better than Belal Muhammad's, but their pressure, their cardio, their wrestling background, fairly similar. Obviously, I think one would be better than the other, but he's faced somebody exactly like him. So, I think it would be a tough fight for Islam for sure." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC welterweight questions Jack Della Maddalena's first title defense
