May 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) prepares to fight Belal Muhammad (not pictured) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

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“I Can Take Him Out” – Jack Della Maddalena Exudes Confidence Ahead Of Potential Islam Makhachev Showdown

Riding high after his title win, Jack Della Maddalena sets sights on Islam Makhachev with bold claims and fearless energy!

May 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) prepares to fight Belal Muhammad (not pictured) during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

UFC’s welterweight division has a new king, and he is not short on confidence. Jack Della Maddalena shocked many fans when he dethroned Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in Montreal. The Australian fighter has been turning heads since joining the UFC, putting together an impressive 8-0 record inside the octagon. His journey to the top hasn’t been easy, climbing through regional promotions in Australia before catching Dana White’s eye on Contender Series in 2021.

Now wearing welterweight gold, Della Maddalena faces a unique challenge. Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has vacated his 155-pound UFC title with ambitions of becoming a two-division champion, though not simultaneous. The Russian fighter, trained by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, has dominated opponents with his suffocating grappling and constantly improving striking. This potential champion vs champion matchup brings together two fighters at the peak of their powers, with contrasting styles that could make for an intriguing battle!

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Jack Della Maddalena Confident In Taking Out Islam Makhachev

During Della Maddalena’s appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he told the hpst about his plans for the upcoming challenge. The new welterweight champ doesn’t share the grappling concerns that many have. He believes his striking advantage could be the difference maker against Makhachev.

“I’m sure people are just going to assume that Islam will just take me down and submit me pretty quickly. I think I can take him out…I don’t think Islam’s a very good striker. I think I could land a lot of shots, and I think I could take him out. Stuff the takedowns, if I get taken down, I believe I can get back to my feet.”

Jack Della Maddalena believes he will prove the doubters wrong and 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 Islam Makhachev when they fight 🏆🇦🇺

🎙️ via The Ariel Helwani Show#UFC315 pic.twitter.com/wwTaVpY81f
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 14, 2025

This isn’t just talk. Della Maddalena’s striking against Muhammad showed precision rarely seen in welterweight title fights. His ability to stuff takedowns against a wrestling-heavy fighter like Muhammad also gives him reason for optimism.

The fight could represent a major shift in UFC matchmaking. Champion vs champion fights used to be rare special attractions, but they have become more common in recent years. This potential bout would be interesting because it features an established champion in Makhachev moving up to challenge a newly crowned champion. The UFC has historically favored strikers in their marketing, which might give Della Maddalena some promotional advantage despite Makhachev’s longer reign as champion. Either way, fans win with this epic fight!

(Image Credit: Eric Bolte – Imagn Images)

Islam Makhachev

Jack Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!