Jack Della Maddalena
Australia
Title reign ends immediately
Della Maddalena dropped the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision (45-50, 45-50, 45-50) at UFC 322 in New York City.
ANALYSIS
Everyone is going to be all over Della Maddalena for a truly woeful performance in his first title defense -- and it was awful -- but the truth of the matter is this result probably says more about just how great Makhachev is than anything else. Seemingly uncomfortable the entire fight, Jack simply couldn't keep Islam off him. He gave up takedowns on all four of Makhachev's attempts, one each in Rounds 1, 3, 4, and 5. Islam didn't shoot in Round 2, but still ended up with 4:05 worth of control time for that stanza. He ended up with 19:10 worth of control time overall. One thing JDM did do well is defend on the mat. Yes, he couldn't get back to his feet at any point once he went down, but he never compromised despite being dominated for 25 minutes. Undefeated in eight UFC fights, Jack has a chance to earn another title shot at some point considering he's just 29 years old, but the gap between he and Makhachev is wider than the Grand Canyon.
Everyone is going to be all over Della Maddalena for a truly woeful performance in his first title defense -- and it was awful -- but the truth of the matter is this result probably says more about just how great Makhachev is than anything else. Seemingly uncomfortable the entire fight, Jack simply couldn't keep Islam off him. He gave up takedowns on all four of Makhachev's attempts, one each in Rounds 1, 3, 4, and 5. Islam didn't shoot in Round 2, but still ended up with 4:05 worth of control time for that stanza. He ended up with 19:10 worth of control time overall. One thing JDM did do well is defend on the mat. Yes, he couldn't get back to his feet at any point once he went down, but he never compromised despite being dominated for 25 minutes. Undefeated in eight UFC fights, Jack has a chance to earn another title shot at some point considering he's just 29 years old, but the gap between he and Makhachev is wider than the Grand Canyon.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Confirmed for UFC 322
Della Maddalena will fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, which will take place Nov. 15 in New York City, Damon Martin of MMA Fighting reports.
ANALYSIS
Della Maddalena is fresh off the biggest victory of his career at UCF 315, defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision. He'll draw a tough task in defending his title against Makhachev, who has previously dominated in the 155-pound division as a four-time defending champion and is now in search of a new challenge.
Della Maddalena is fresh off the biggest victory of his career at UCF 315, defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision. He'll draw a tough task in defending his title against Makhachev, who has previously dominated in the 155-pound division as a four-time defending champion and is now in search of a new challenge.
New UFC Welterweight Champion
Della Maddalena is the new UFC Welterweight Champion after defeating Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
The most remarkable thing about this entire story is that Della Maddalena never even would have gotten this chance had Shavkat Rakhmonov, the unquestioned No. 1 contender for the title, been ready to fight this evening. To his credit, JDM took full advantage of the biggest opportunity of his career. Displaying much improved takedown defense and high-end scrambling, Jack Della allowed just three takedowns and 3:21 worth of control time to Muhammad. All of that came in the final two rounds. On the feet, Jack predictably landed the bigger blows, constantly pushing forward in an attempt to break Belal's rhythm. It worked. Somehow this fight was still up for grabs going until Round 5, with two of the judges having it tied. JDM won the final frame on all three scorecards on the strength of pure heart and toughness. It was some performance -- one which would go on to earn both men a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. The new champion better rest up, because Rakhmonov is going to be next, and Jack will almost certainly find himself a betting underdog once again. He closed as a +170 underdog this evening.
The most remarkable thing about this entire story is that Della Maddalena never even would have gotten this chance had Shavkat Rakhmonov, the unquestioned No. 1 contender for the title, been ready to fight this evening. To his credit, JDM took full advantage of the biggest opportunity of his career. Displaying much improved takedown defense and high-end scrambling, Jack Della allowed just three takedowns and 3:21 worth of control time to Muhammad. All of that came in the final two rounds. On the feet, Jack predictably landed the bigger blows, constantly pushing forward in an attempt to break Belal's rhythm. It worked. Somehow this fight was still up for grabs going until Round 5, with two of the judges having it tied. JDM won the final frame on all three scorecards on the strength of pure heart and toughness. It was some performance -- one which would go on to earn both men a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. The new champion better rest up, because Rakhmonov is going to be next, and Jack will almost certainly find himself a betting underdog once again. He closed as a +170 underdog this evening.
Next fight scheduled
Della Maddalena will face Belal Muhammad for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
Della Maddalena will challenge Muhammad in the latter's first title defense, getting quite a break here, as Muhammad was originally set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov (who almost certainly sees the winner here). Della Maddalena is certainly deserving of this opportunity, however, as he's won seven consecutive fights to start his UFC run and has accumulated five post-fight bonuses in that span. He was previously set to fight Leon Edwards, but Sean Brady will instead take his place in that bout.
Della Maddalena will challenge Muhammad in the latter's first title defense, getting quite a break here, as Muhammad was originally set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov (who almost certainly sees the winner here). Della Maddalena is certainly deserving of this opportunity, however, as he's won seven consecutive fights to start his UFC run and has accumulated five post-fight bonuses in that span. He was previously set to fight Leon Edwards, but Sean Brady will instead take his place in that bout.
Set to face Edwards in main event
Maddalena will take on Leon Edwards in a welterweight bout at UFC London on March 22, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Maddalena will be part of UFC London's main event, and he'll enter the bout with plenty of momentum - the welterweight is riding a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC at this juncture. His opponent Edwards, meanwhile, is coming off a loss that derailed a four-bout winning streak of his own. Both fighters are premier welterweights in the promotion, and this should make for an entertaining clash in late March.
Maddalena will be part of UFC London's main event, and he'll enter the bout with plenty of momentum - the welterweight is riding a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC at this juncture. His opponent Edwards, meanwhile, is coming off a loss that derailed a four-bout winning streak of his own. Both fighters are premier welterweights in the promotion, and this should make for an entertaining clash in late March.
Breaks arm in win
Della Maddalena suffered a broken arm during his win over Gilbert Burns via TKO (punches) in Round 3 at UFC 299, Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Della Maddalena suffered the injury prior to knocking out Burns and managed to overcome the adversity. The welterweight was also seemingly down after the first two rounds of the fight before smashing Burns with a knee to the face and subsequently landing follow-up strikes to secure the victory en route to a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He called out Shavkat Rakhmonov in his post-fight interview, but per the Florida Athletic Commission's medical suspension, he'll need to get clearance from an orthopedic doctor before returning to the Octagon.
Della Maddalena suffered the injury prior to knocking out Burns and managed to overcome the adversity. The welterweight was also seemingly down after the first two rounds of the fight before smashing Burns with a knee to the face and subsequently landing follow-up strikes to secure the victory en route to a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He called out Shavkat Rakhmonov in his post-fight interview, but per the Florida Athletic Commission's medical suspension, he'll need to get clearance from an orthopedic doctor before returning to the Octagon.