Jack Della Maddalena, the newly crowned UFC welterweight champion, is gearing up for a high-stakes title defense against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev. In an interview on May 21, 2025, the Australian fighter shared his strategy, acknowledging Makhachev’s elite skills while expressing confidence in his preparation. The fight, though not officially dated, is expected later in 2025, with UFC CEO Dana White confirming Makhachev as the challenger.
Della Maddalena compared Makhachev to his recent opponent.
“I think Islam Makhachev is a better version of Belal. I think he’s striking on the feet is easier than Belal, because he’s more traditional style. But yeah, he’s a pound-for-pound No.1, so it’s a tough fight. But we’ll watch all his fights again, make ourselves a solid game plan and just start working on it from, pretty much, now. I’m going to start working on different ways to beat him, different ways to get back on my feet and stuffing the takedowns But, I’m pretty confident I can get this one done,” he said.
To counter Makhachev’s grappling, Della Maddalena plans to train with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who faced Makhachev twice in 2023.
“After the last two fights, I’ve spent a bit of my time in Wollongong [The place of Volkanovski’s residence]. So yeah, I think, probably the first stop – We go to Wollongong, talk to Volk, see what he reckons,” he stated.
Social media posts praised Della Maddalena’s proactive approach, noting Volkanovski’s insights could be key against Makhachev’s style.
From Australian Prospect to Welterweight Champion
Jack Della Maddalena began his MMA journey in 2016, competing regionally before joining the UFC in 2022. With an 18-2 record, he went 8-0 in the octagon, securing knockouts over Gilbert Burns and Pete Rodriguez. His crowning moment came at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, in Montreal, where he outlasted Belal Muhammad in a unanimous decision to claim the welterweight title, earning scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.
Islam Makhachev, holding a 27-1 record, dominated the lightweight division from 2022 to 2025, defending the title four times, a UFC record. His wins include Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and two victories over Volkanovski, showcasing his wrestling and improved striking. After vacating the lightweight belt in May 2025 to avoid fighting friend Belal Muhammad, Makhachev set his sights on welterweight gold, aiming to become a two-division champion.
Della Maddalena sees the fight as a chance to avenge Volkanovski’s losses. In a post-UFC 315 interview, he said, “I’m going to get him back for Volk,” referencing Makhachev’s 2023 wins over his compatriot. Volkanovski, who nearly upset Makhachev in their first fight, trains in Wollongong, where Della Maddalena plans to refine his takedown defense and striking game plan.
The matchup has sparked debate, with fighters like Robert Whittaker backing Della Maddalena’s size and striking, while Daniel Cormier emphasized Makhachev’s wrestling edge. Renato Moicano argued betting odds should be even, citing Makhachev’s weight class jump. Current odds list Makhachev as a -200 favorite, with Della Maddalena at +170, reflecting a competitive but challenging fight.
As Della Maddalena prepares, his collaboration with Volkanovski and coach Ben Vickers signals a focused camp. Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggested Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas as potential venues, ruling out Perth or Abu Dhabi. The MMA community awaits the clash, with social media posts highlighting Della Maddalena’s underdog spirit against Makhachev’s pound-for-pound dominance.
