Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight prospect Jack Della Maddalena is poised to measure his skills against the premier athletes of his division. In his mind, he was already equipped for the challenge, but six straight victories in the organization further fortified his argument for the undeniable opportunity. The Australian, fresh off a trailblazing split decision victory over Kevin Holland, will face No. 4-ranked welterweight star Gilbert Burns in a featured UFC 299 attraction on Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
1. Sibling rivalry ignited a passion for combat.
Della Maddalena’s journey in combat sports traces back to the spirited wrestling sessions he had with his brother, Josh, in their formative years. From an early age, he was enamored by the intoxicating fervor of competition. At 13, he began training in boxing, which would later evolve into his defining skill set, even on the grand stage of the UFC. He was also playing rugby at the age of 8 and played the sport till he was 12.2. He was shaped by a legend’s influence.
The 27-year-old Della Maddalena was drawn by the raw intensity of mixed martial arts and found himself captivated by videos of MMA icon Wanderleir Silva. He discovered Scrappy MMA in Perth, Australia, and after just one lesson, he recognized MMA as his true calling. Since that day, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to honing his skills and mastering the intricacies of the sport, which laid the groundwork for a formidable presence in the cage.
3. He has shown an ability to move beyond defeat.
Della Maddalena’s early career was fraught with challenges. He candidly admitted to grappling with self-doubt after being stopped in his first two professional bouts. However, his coach did not allow him to succumb to despair. Together, they charted out a bold goal to secure victory in the next 10 fights. With steely determination and unwavering resolve, they have been able to accomplish the objective and more.
4. Physical pain does not deter him.
In the aforementioned second loss to Darcy Vendy at an Eternal MMA event on May 28, 2016, a devastating knee resulted in a nasty broken nose. As for his battered nose, Della Maddalena plans to postpone corrective surgery due to the inherent risk of his profession.
5. He embraces the fighter within.
Before embarking on his MMA journey, Della Maddalena dedicated time to office work, managing clients’ accounts. While not much is known about his profession before fighting, that journey somehow propelled him to take fighting seriously. He also claimed in an interview with UFC.com that he planned to continue attending university for a commerce degree.