Jack Della Maddalena releases first statement after Makhachev defeat
Jack Della Maddalena has vowed to return better and stronger following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.
The now former UFC welterweight champion has spoken out for the first time since losing a one-sided defeat the past weekend at Madison Square Garden. The fight mostly unraveled with the Aussie on bottom position as Makhachev managed four takedowns and accumulating over 19 minutes of control time. Islam Makhachev made history by becoming the 11th fighter in UFC history to win titles in two separate weight classes.
“Thanks to those always supporting,” Della Maddalena reflected in his caption on Instagram. “Islam is one of the greats and deserved to win. I will learn and move forward.”
Despite his remarkable showcase of counterwrestling and scrambles in his title victory over Belal Muhammad back in May, Della Maddalena had no answers to nullify Makhachev’s takedowns in their five round contest.
Although he stayed out of the Dagestani’s constant submission threats, the ex-champion failed to deliver his usual striking prowess. Over 25 minutes, Della Maddalena only delivered 18 significant strikes, which was a stark contrast from his 178 strikes to defeat Muhammad to become champion.
Ben Vickers wants Jack Della Maddalena to look back on a great 2025
His coach Ben Vickers shared the same sentiments as Della Maddalena, acknowledging and paying respect for Islam Makhachev and what he accomplished in New York the previous weekend.
Vickers shared he does not want his fighter to focus solely on the negatives during his break away from the Octagon, sharing in his Submission Radio interview that he hopes ‘JDM’ can look back on positives they have achieved in a busy 2025 during his time off with his family.
“Let’s let him have Christmas with his family, not even thinking about what’s next. Let’s enjoy and smell the roses even though you’d feel like that isn’t the appropriate statement, I think it’s been a great year for us. We won the world title. Yeah, unfortunately we lost it again to an incredible, incredible fighter and we know what the level is.”
At 29-years-old, Della Maddalena still has a bright future ahead of him to bounce back and contend in the welterweight division for years to come.
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