Jack Della Maddalena
Australia
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.
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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.
Finds late stoppage win at UFC 299
Della Maddalena defeated Gilbert Burns via TKO (punches) at 3:34 of Round 3 at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Della Maddalena was officially just a couple minutes away from his first loss with the UFC. He was down two rounds on a pair of scorecards heading into Round 3 and was clearly losing the final frame. Yet, as we have seen from Jack in the past, he has this unique ability to find a victory in light of adversity. Della Maddalena got the better of the striking exchanges with Burns, as expected. Yet, it's hard to win a decision when you allow your opponent to land 7-of-11 takedown attempts. To Jack's credit, he kept working his way back to his feet, and his final flurry put him in position to smash Burns with a knee to the face and some follow-up strikes to earn the late stoppage win. It would also earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Jack improves to 7-0 in the UFC, with wins over the likes of Burns and Kevin Holland. Even his victory over Randy Brown is a quality win. He called out Shavkat Rakhmonov in his post-fight interview. Sign us up.
Della Maddalena was officially just a couple minutes away from his first loss with the UFC. He was down two rounds on a pair of scorecards heading into Round 3 and was clearly losing the final frame. Yet, as we have seen from Jack in the past, he has this unique ability to find a victory in light of adversity. Della Maddalena got the better of the striking exchanges with Burns, as expected. Yet, it's hard to win a decision when you allow your opponent to land 7-of-11 takedown attempts. To Jack's credit, he kept working his way back to his feet, and his final flurry put him in position to smash Burns with a knee to the face and some follow-up strikes to earn the late stoppage win. It would also earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Jack improves to 7-0 in the UFC, with wins over the likes of Burns and Kevin Holland. Even his victory over Randy Brown is a quality win. He called out Shavkat Rakhmonov in his post-fight interview. Sign us up.
Facing Gilbert Burns at UFC 299
The UFC announced Sunday that Della Maddalena is scheduled to face Gilbert Burns in a welterweight fight at UFC 299 in Miami on March 9.
ANALYSIS
Della Maddalena, currently No. 11 in the UFC's welterweight rankings, has an excellent opportunity to jump into their upper echelon. The 37-year-old Burns is ranked No. 4, and winning over him stands an adequate chance of giving him leverage for a championship fight.
Della Maddalena, currently No. 11 in the UFC's welterweight rankings, has an excellent opportunity to jump into their upper echelon. The 37-year-old Burns is ranked No. 4, and winning over him stands an adequate chance of giving him leverage for a championship fight.