Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Aussie Jack Della Maddalena claims UFC Welterweight title
Connor Scanlon • May 11th, 2025 6:37 pm
After breaking his arm and facing a year on the side-lines, Jack Della Maddalena returned to face superstar Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 for the undisputed Welterweight title.
With Maddalena aiming to become a world champion for the first time, the 28-year-old went toe-to-toe against his toughest challenge of his career to date.
Many believed that this was a winnable fight for the Aussie, given how he is regarded as one of the UFC’s best boxers, thanks to his exceptional jab and power.
“Overall, he’s a high-volume striker - he’s got an incredible jab,” an MMA pundit exclaimed.
“The jabs snappy, he keeps it in your face… He’s got good power.
“Jack Della Maddalena is gonna dominate this fight and probably find a finish in the third round.”
And Maddalena went on to prove his supporters right. He put on an absolute clinic against Belal Muhammad, clinching the title in impressive fashion.
These were the pivotal moments of the fight that allowed Jack Della Maddalena to touch UFC gold for the first time:
Round 1: Maddelana starts quickly, making a statement
The bout opened at a furious pace, with Maddalena establishing his jab early and landing a clean overhand right to Muhammad’s head.
The Aussie mixed in inside leg kicks effectively, keeping Muhammad on the outside.
Muhammad responded with a sharp one-two combination that clipped Maddalena cleanly.
However, the tide quickly shifted when Maddalena wobbled the champ with a high head kick, drawing a roar from the crowd.
He followed up moments later with a strong left hand in a heated exchange.
Muhammad shot for his first takedown of the fight but was denied convincingly.
The round ended with both fighters engaging in a wild flurry, landing heavy shots, but Maddalena appeared crisper and more composed.
With superior striking and takedown defence, Maddalena likely secured Round 1.
Round 2: An even round, but Maddalena’s defence was on point
The second round picked up where the first left off - fast and aggressive.
Muhammad opened with a clean right hand and followed up with a well-timed head kick, but Maddalena answered quickly, landing a flush right hand of his own.
Midway through the round, Maddalena connected with a thunderous right hand, though Muhammad absorbed it well.
The champ shot for two more takedowns, both denied by Maddalena, who looked impenetrable defensively.
Near the end of the round Maddalena worked his jab again, which drew blood from Muhammad’s nose.
A closely contested round, which could have gone either way.
Round 3: Maddalena puts on a striking masterclass
Muhammad came out with a nice left hook to start Round 3, but Maddalena responded with a clinical combination, ripping the body and finishing with a right hook to the head.
The Aussie’s head movement was on another level, making him elusive as Muhammad tried to land.
Maddalena’s powerful right hand continued to find the mark, and he followed with another precise combo that clearly hurt Muhammad.
In response, Muhammad shot for another takedown, which Maddalena not only denied but reversed into an offensive position.
The Aussie ended the round in that offensive wrestling position, destroying Muhammad’s confidence.
Maddalena’s striking dominance and defensive wrestling likely earned him the round.
Round 4: Blood and brawls
Sensing he might be behind on the scorecards, Muhammad came out with added urgency.
Maddalena responded to the pressure with a huge left hook, but Muhammad answered with a quick one-two followed by a takedown attempt.
The Aussie once again denied the attempt which led to an explosive exchange, with both fighters traded heavy shots, but Maddalena landed the cleaner strikes.
Muhammad finally secured his first takedown of the fight, but Maddalena quickly reversed the position and pressed the champ against the cage.
Muhammad’s face was now covered in blood, but he managed to land a strong head kick.
Another takedown attempt for Muhammad saw a series of reversals in the clinch, with Muhammad eventually gaining brief control before the Aussie escaped.
A gritty and closely fought round, with both fighters having their moments - another round that the judges could have scored either way.
Round 5: Both fighters leave it all in the octagon
The final round began with intensity from both fighters.
Muhammad pushed Maddalena back with pressure, landing a strong body kick.
The Aussie responded with a clean left straight that snapped Muhammad’s head back, followed by a powerful knee that opened a fresh cut under the champ’s eye.
Muhammad answered with a massive right hand that caused significant swelling around Maddalena’s eye, then securing a takedown which got him into half-guard.
Despite spending some time in bottom position Maddalena exploded back to his feet with sheer power and the momentum shifted again.
The Aussie landed a huge shot that sent Muhammad retreating, clearly hurt.
Maddalena was on the hunt, ready to finish Muhammad, however he decided to clinch instead of continuing to strike, allowing the champ to reverse the position and take him down again.
But Maddalena wasn’t done…
He got back up to his feet and the crowd went crazy!
Maddalena then landed a brutal combination that wobbled Muhammad once more, finishing the round in impressive fashion.
With the damage dealt and his control of key moments, Maddalena likely took the final round - and with it, the championship belt.
The decision:
After an extremely entertaining fight, the judges revealed their score cards.
48-47, 48-47, 49-46, declaring the winner by unanimous decision AND NEW Jack Della Maddalena.
WHAT A WIN FOR THE AUSSIE!
With Maddalena realising his dreams of becoming the UFC Welterweight Champion, he just put himself in some exclusive company.
Jack Della Maddalena now joins Alex Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker as the only Australian Champions in the UFC’s history.
With it being highly-speculated that current Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev wants to step-up a division and now face Maddalena to become a double-champ - the Aussie welcomed that challenge in his post-fight interview.
“I’m gonna get him back for Volk,” the new champion said.
Navajo Stirling's plea to bring UFC back to NZ | Fight Club podcast
