Budding Australian superstar Jack Della Maddalena stepped inside the cage on Saturday night seeking his seventh straight win at UFC 299 in Miami.
Fresh off a split-decision victory over fan favorite Kevin Holland in September, JDM has his eyes on a spot in the loaded welterweight division’s top five. Standing in his way of getting there was perennial contender and one-time title challenger Gilbert Burns. After coming up short against No. 1 ranked Belal Muhammad, ‘Durinho’ was determined to take JDM’s ‘O’ inside the Octagon and re-establish himself as a legitimate threat to reigning 170-pound champ Leon Edwards.
Round 1
Gilbert Burns gets things started with a low leg kick and a body kick. Burns goes back to the leg. JDM responds with a jab. Burns goes to the body with a kick before shooting in for a takedown and briefly taking Della Maddalena’s back. JDM gets back to his feet as Burns fishes for another takedown up against the fence. JDM hip-tosses Burns and nearly lands a sneaky knee before separating. JDM offers a combination of strikes. Burns loads up a right hand that is just out of range.
Burns begins to lunge with his strikes JDM lands a solid combination, including a nice rip to the body of Burns. JDM is bringing pressure. Burns briefly teases a takedown before whiffing on a high kick. Burns fires a kick to the body followed by a kick targeting JDM’s lead leg. Burns changes levels and takes Della Maddalena, landing a big right hand on the ground moments before the horn sounds.
Round 2
JDM opens the round stalking his opponent, but Burns lands a nice right hand. JDM offers up a combination, but Burns shoots and works the Aussie down to the mat. JDM uses the cage wall to climb back to his feet and separate. Burns lands a nice elbow in close and JDM’s left eye begins to swell. Della Maddalena continues to march forward, mixing up his strikes, but failing to connect with anything substantial.
Burns loads up and lands a right hand. JDM lands a nice left to the body of Burns. JDM lands a couple of solid lefts as Burns circles away from the fence. Burns throws a booming overhand right that connects. He follows that up with a quick double-leg takedown. JDM scrambles and briefly gets back up, but Burns uses his grip on JDM’s neck to force him back down. Burns takes his back and locks on a body triangle.
With only 10 seconds left on the clock, Burns is content to maintain control and walk away with the round.
Round 3
Both fighters kick off the third round trading calf kicks. JDM offers a powerful right hand that narrowly misses. Burns goes up top with a stiff leg kick, but Della Maddalena responds with another big right hand. Perhaps feeling the effects, Burns quickly shoots, pushing JDM back to the cage wall. Burns muscles JDM to the mat and maintains control, though offering little offense.
JDM gets back to his feet, but Burns puts him back on the canvas and takes his back in the process. JDM rolls out and gets back to his feet. Burns attempts to shoot in again but eats a perfectly-timed knee from JDM that drops Burns. JDM jumps on his opponent and delivers a barrage of elbows that forces the referee to step in and call for the stoppage.
Official Result: Jack Della Maddalena def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (knee to ground and pound) at 3:43 of Round 3.
Check Out Highlights From Jack Della Maddalena vs. Gilbert Burns at UFC 299:
Gilbert Burns Wins Round 1 vs Jack Della Maddalena #UFC299 ‼️👊🏽💪 pic.twitter.com/QRKs4QecK9
— MMA Homie Podcast (@theMMAhomies) March 10, 2024
Jack Della Maddalena KNOCKSOUT Gilbert Burns #UFC299https://t.co/yn0IpS7tT1
— TwinVamos (@TwinVamos) March 10, 2024
🚨 INCROYABLE, JACK DELLA MADDALENA🇦🇺 TERMINE GILBERT BURNS🇧🇷 À LA FIN DU 3E ROUND !!
IL RENTRERA DANS LE TOP 4 DES 77 KG !!7-0 À L'UFC ! #UFC299
pic.twitter.com/F2y9HwZsAn— MMA EMPIRE ⚔️ (@LempireMMA) March 10, 2024
What a huge win for Jack Della Maddalena 🔥 #UFC299 https://t.co/YGGmg2txuP
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) March 10, 2024
