Jack Della Maddalena has surged from Australian regional standout to one of the UFC’s most dangerous welterweights, entering UFC 315 on May 10, 2025 with an unblemished 7-0 Octagon record and a professional ledger of 17-2. Nicknamed “JDM,” the 28-year-old switch-stance striker combines a potent boxing base with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, crafted under coach Ben Vickers at Scrappy MMA in Perth. Standing 5 ft 11 in tall with a 73-inch reach, he’s known for finishing 71 percent of his wins by knockout and earning four Performance of the Night bonuses before ever tasting defeat in the UFC.
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Early Life & Martial Arts Roots
Born Giacomo Della Maddalena on September 10, 1996 in Perth, Western Australia, Jack grew up playing rugby from age eight through high school at Aquinas College before his brother Josh steered him into boxing at 14. The transition to combat sports accelerated when he found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ben Vickers, earning his black belt in record time and blending striking and grappling early in his career. Training alongside mixed martial artists at Scrappy MMA instilled a work-ethic reflecting his Sardinian heritage and set the foundation for his professional debut in March 2016.
Regional Circuit & Professional Debut
Della Maddalena’s first two pro outings resulted in losses—TKO in round three to Aldin Bates and a first-round submission to Darcy Vendy—which fueled technical improvements and a decisive mindset shift. From late 2016 to mid-2021 he amassed a nine-fight winning streak on the Australian regional scene, capturing the Eternal MMA Welterweight Championship and defending it four times, showcasing a perfect finish rate that caught UFC brass’s attention.
Road to the UFC
On September 14, 2021, Della Maddalena squared off against Ange Loosa on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he displayed high-octane boxing and takedown defense en route to a unanimous decision, earning a UFC contract. The performance highlighted his switch-stance fluency and explosive power, setting the stage for his official Octagon debut.
UFC Debut & First Victories
His UFC debut on January 22, 2022 at UFC Vegas 44 saw him dispatch Ramazan Emeev via first-round TKO in just 90 seconds, leveraging crisp jabs and punishing body shots to secure his first Performance of the Night bonus. Five months later, he faced Danny Roberts at UFC Vegas 55 and used feints, lateral movement and counter-striking to outpoint the seasoned Brit for a unanimous decision.
Rise Through the Ranks
Della Maddalena’s third UFC bout against Randy Brown at UFC Vegas 69 ended in a second-round TKO, where he exemplified his power by clocking Brown with a straight right that set up ground-and-pound. His next test came against Kevin Holland at UFC Las Vegas on September 16, 2023, where he absorbed early pressure and countered with pinpoint combinations, earning a split-decision victory that cemented his Top 15 status.
Statement Win over Gilbert Burns
On March 9, 2024 at UFC 299 in Miami, Della Maddalena took a massive step toward title contention by meeting former interim champion Gilbert Burns, delivering a brutal knee-and-elbows knockout in round three for another Performance of the Night bonus. That highlight-reel finish against a globally recognized name showcased his maturation as a fighter capable of seizing opportunities against elite opposition.
Fighting Style & Strengths
Della Maddalena excels in a hybrid boxing-wrestling approach, deploying a stiff jab to set up high-impact power shots while maintaining a threat of takedown defense that keeps opponents honest. His switch-stance footing allows seamless transitions between orthodox and southpaw, generating angles that confuse orthodox-heavy opponents. Defensively, he combines head movement with a tight guard, giving up just 4.27 significant strikes per minute and defending 71 percent of incoming attacks.
Grappling & Ground Game
Although he averages only 0.5 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, his 83 percent takedown-defense rate underscores his ability to keep fights standing. When he does engage on the mat, his BJJ black-belt pedigree allows him to scramble effectively, threaten submissions and quickly return to striking range, reflecting balanced skill development.
Training & Team Environment
Under head coach Jason Trigg and strength coach Jon Bell at Scrappy MMA, Della Maddalena’s camps emphasize pad work versatility, velocity-based striking drills and live wrestling exchanges. Nutritionist Emily Humphrey keeps him within three pounds of the welterweight limit year-round, minimizing weight-cut stress, while sports psychologist Dr. Lisa Mullen guides mental toughness routines that prime him for high-pressure moments.
Community & Outside Interests
Away from the cage, Della Maddalena is active in Perth’s youth boxing outreach, teaching self-defense and discipline in underprivileged neighborhoods. His Instagram presence blends training insights with family life, endearing him to both Australian fans and a growing international audience currently numbering over 250,000 followers.
UFC 315 Title Shot vs Belal Muhammad
On May 10, 2025, at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Della Maddalena challenges unbeaten champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of UFC 315. Muhammad, riding a 10-fight win streak, is known for relentless pressure and clinch control, posing a stylistic clash to Della Maddalena’s counter-striking and defensive footwork.
Tactical Breakdown for UFC 315
To dethrone Muhammad, Della Maddalena must neutralize the champion’s forward march with sharp lateral movement and maintain a jab-first approach to prevent prolonged clinches. Checking leg kicks early will be crucial to sap Muhammad’s mobility, while capitalizing on over-committed strikes with counters could create fight-changing moments. Last-round conditioning—demonstrated by sustaining nearly five significant strikes per minute in round 3 against Burns—may prove decisive in late frames.
Potential Impact of a Title Win
A victory would mark the first Australian UFC welterweight titleholder in history, elevating Della Maddalena to global stardom and positioning him for unification bouts against Jorge Masvidal or rematches with former contenders. The crossover appeal to both MMA and mainstream sports markets could trigger blockbuster sponsorships and headline future pay-per-view events worldwide.
Next Steps if He Falls Short
Even in defeat, a competitive showing against Muhammad in enemy territory would solidify Della Maddalena’s place in the Top 5 and likely secure a high-profile rematch or a showdown with fellow contenders like Khamzat Chimaev or Colby Covington. His cross-training at TriStar’s Montreal affiliate could further sharpen his toolkit against wrestling-heavy adversaries.
For a complete look at all upcoming bouts—from UFC pay-per-views to international promotions—check out our MMA Schedule for the full calendar, updated weekly. To see where Jack Della Maddalena and all the top contenders rank in their divisions, head over to our MMA Rankings section for the latest divisional and pound-for-pound standings.
Conclusion
Jack Della Maddalena’s journey from early setbacks to a historic welterweight title shot underscores resilience, technical evolution and strategic team support. Whether he stands atop the division as champion or returns stronger from a narrow loss, his performance on May 10, 2025 will mark a defining chapter in Australian MMA and the broader welterweight landscape.