Alright, let's talk about Jack Della Maddalena, another Aussie UFC fighter who's making waves in the welterweight division. At UFC 299, Jack pulled off an impressive win against Gilbert Burns, marking his 17th consecutive victory. This win was not just another notch on his belt; it pushed him into the welterweight top five, a significant leap considering he was ranked 11th before the fight.
During the fight, Jack was down on the scorecards going into the final round. But in a dramatic turnaround, he landed a knee that floored Burns, followed by a barrage of punches that ended the fight earning himself performance of the night. This performance against Burns, who was ranked fourth in the division, showed Jack's got what it takes to make some serious moves in the division.
Today news has surfaced that Jack in fact broke his arm during the fight, making securing the win all the more impressive. According to his manager he sustained the injury early in the fight, but managed to battle through and score the brutal knockout victory after a knee strike and a series of ground-and-pound punches and elbows.
After his win, Jack didn't shy away from making his ambitions known. He called out Shavkat Rakhmonov, a fighter with an undefeated record, proposing a match that could potentially determine the next title challenger. Jack's confidence was palpable as he expressed his desire to face one of the division's most daunting opponents, signaling his readiness for even bigger challenges.
“There’s some scary people in this division, and I’m the f—-ing scariest,”
The undefeated Kazakh also expressed interest in the matchup while issuing a solemn warning on X : “I respect your courage and confidence Jack, but you will face the same fate as my previous opponents”.
Volkanovski's reign as the featherweight champion and Whittaker's tenure in the middleweight division have set high benchmarks for Aussie fighters in the UFC, showcasing not just talent but also the mental and physical resilience required at the highest levels of MMA. I guess we’re saying there’s big boots to fill, and BA is backing him to make it all the way.
Jack's journey from Perth (won’t hold that against him) to the UFC stage has been fast, entertaining, and dominant. His ability to deliver under pressure and his willingness to challenge top fighters underscore his potential to become one of the division's leading figures. Good luck brother, we’ll be watching closely!
