Jack Della Maddalena is undoubtedly making waves in the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight division. The rising Australian star aims to come closer to the title contention when he faces Kevin Holland in the UFC Fight Night 227 co-headliner on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Della Maddalena, 27, is currently riding a stunning 15-fight winning streak that dates back to 2016. His most recent appearance was at UFC on ESPN 49, where he earned a split decision over Elevation Fight Team’s Bassil Hafez on July 15.
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1. Fork in the Road
Darcy Vendy handed Della Maddalena a defeat in their Eternal MMA 17 middleweight showcase on May 28, 2016, at the Nerang Police-Citizens Youth Club in Nerang, Australia. Vendy won via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. The loss dropped Della Maddalena to 0-2 as a pro and forced the 19-year-old to reevaluate his career, resulting in an impressive winning streak since that pivotal moment.
2. Boom, Boom, Boom, Out Go the Lights
On March 10, 2018, Della Maddalena claimed the Eternal MMA welterweight championship by knocking out Luke Howard in the second round of their EMMA 31 co-main event at the WA Italian Club in Perth, Australia. Della Maddalena exhibited his dominance from the beginning, with body-head combinations, front kicks, and elbows. A flurry of punches in the second round ultimately sealed the victory for the Australian fighter.
3. Cashing In
Della Maddalena’s unanimous decision win over Kill Cliff Fight Club prospect Ange Loosa during Season 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series on Sept. 14, 2021, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, earned him a contract with the UFC. The Australian fighter showcased his striking skills with multi-punch bursts and stance switches, while also successfully escaping a tight arm-triangle choke in the second round. Despite fatigue in the final round, Della Maddalena finished strong, earning the judges’ favor.
4. Primetime Player
In a first-round knockout, Della Maddalena defeated former M-1 Global champion Ramazan Emeev at UFC 275 on June 12, 2022, at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. After escaping a takedown and an anaconda choke, Della Maddalena quickly turned the tables with his striking, ultimately finishing Emeev with a barrage of unanswered punches, forcing the referee to step in.
5. No ‘Rude’ Awakening
Lastly, the former Eternal MMA champ secured a rear-naked choke submission victory over Randy Brown in the first round of their UFC 284 welterweight feature on Feb. 11, 2023, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Brown started strong using his height and reach advantage, but Della Maddalena managed to trap him against the fence and land a right hook that sent Brown to the canvas. Della Maddalena then secured the choke, forcing Brown to tap out and ending his four-fight winning streak.