Jack Della Maddalena has finally clarified the reason for his visibly disheartened demeanor during his fight against Islam Makhachev. The previous year, “JDM” secured the 170-pound championship by defeating Belal Muhammad, a close associate and training partner of Makhachev. This victory prompted the Russian fighter to relinquish his lightweight title and transition to the welterweight division.
Della Maddalena’s championship tenure, however, was brief, lasting only a few months. He was subsequently dethroned by Makhachev, who was making his welterweight debut at UFC 322.
In a display of overwhelming skill and dominance, the Dagestani grappling expert thoroughly outmatched “JDM.” Makhachev accumulated an impressive 19 minutes and 10 seconds of control time, executed four takedowns, and landed a total of 140 strikes, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory.
During the later championship rounds, Della Maddalena’s profound disappointment was evident, leading both commentators and fans to speculate about a potential injury that might be impairing his ability to defend against takedowns and regain his footing. His coach even instructed “JDM” before the final round to “lose that sad look” and commit fully to the last five minutes to prevent losing the title.
In a recent interview, Jack Della Maddalena confessed that his somber appearance in the latter stages of UFC 322 stemmed from his perception of underperforming and his inability to execute his desired strategy. He elaborated:
“It was simply a feeling of disappointment from not being able to achieve what I intended, realizing I was putting on a subpar performance. Reflecting on it, there are aspects I should have focused on more.”
Jack Della Maddalena Confident He Can “Outclass” His Next Opponent
Jack Della Maddalena expresses a strong desire for a rematch with Islam Makhachev in the near future, aiming to reclaim the title he surrendered at UFC 322. To secure another championship opportunity, “JDM” must first overcome the powerful knockout artist Carlos Prates at UFC Perth on May 2. Della Maddalena is confident in his ability to “outclass” “The Nightmare,” stating:
“He’s a fan favorite for good reason. He’s an exciting guy. Good striking battle against two of the top contenders. I feel like I’ve got the skillset to beat him. I feel like I can outclass him.”