Jack Della Maddalena

Giacomo "Jack" Della Maddalena (born 10 September 1996) is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 12 March 2024, he is #5 in the UFC welterweight rankings.

Background
Della Maddalena was born in Perth, Australia into a family of Italian descent through his Sardinia-born grandfather. He started playing rugby at the age of eight, playing the sport from year six to year twelve of his schooling. Due to the influence of his older brother Josh, Maddalena joined a boxing gym at the age of fourteen, using it to improve his fitness for the rugby season. He fell in love with the sport, and after his rugby career ended, he transitioned into full-time MMA training. Della Maddalena attended St. Kevin's College in Melbourne, Victoria and Aquinas College in Perth, Western Australia.

Early career
He made his professional debut on 12 March 2016 against Aldin Bates, losing the contest via TKO in the 3rd round. He went on to lose his next fight against Darcy Vendy via submission in the first round, before accumulating a nine-fight winning streak whilst securing the Eternal Welterweight Championship and defending it four times.

Della Maddalena was invited to face Ange Loosa on 14 September 2021 at Dana White's Contender Series 39, where he won the bout via unanimous decision and secured a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Della Maddalena was scheduled to make his UFC debut against The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 middleweight winner Warlley Alves on 22 January 2022 at UFC 270. However, Alves pulled out in early January due to undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Pete Rodriguez. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.

Della Maddalena faced Ramazan Emeev on 11 June 2022 at UFC 275. He won the fight via TKO in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Della Maddalena faced Danny Roberts on 19 November 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one. With this win, Della Maddalena earned his second straight Performance of the Night bonus.

Della Maddalena faced Randy Brown on 12 February 2023 at UFC 284. He won the bout via first round submission. The win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Della Maddalena was scheduled to face Sean Brady on 8 July 2023 at UFC 290. However, on 30 June, Brady withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Josiah Harrell. The day before the event on 7 July, Harrell was pulled from the fight due to being diagnosed with Moyamoya disease during his pre-fight medical screening and the bout was scrapped.

Della Maddalena faced promotional newcomer Bassil Hafez on 15 July 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Bueno Silva. He won the bout via split decision. Both fighters earned the Fight of the Night bonus.

Della Maddalena faced Kevin Holland on 16 September 2023 at UFC Fight Night 227. He won the bout by split decision. 16 out of 16 media scorecards scored it for Della Maddalena.

Della Maddalena faced Gilbert Burns on 9 March 2024 at UFC 299. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Ramazan Emeev, Danny Roberts, Randy Brown and Gilbert Burns
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Bassil Hafez
 * 2022 Newcomer of the Year
 * Eternal MMA
 * EMMA Welterweight Championship (one time)
 * Four successful title defenses
 * Reign Fighting
 * RF Welterweight Championship (one time)
 * ESPN
 * 2022 UFC Men's Rookie of the Year
 * Cageside Press
 * 2022 Newcomer of the Year tied with Jailton Almeida