EXCLUSIVE: UFC boss reveals why Aussie champ is ‘disrespected’… and drops Volk hint

UFC boss Dana White says Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena is set to become one of the sport’s biggest names with victory at UFC 322 this Sunday, declaring: “His whole life changes if he beats Islam Makhachev”.

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev | SUN 16 NOV 2PM AEDT | Australia’s own Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Pound for Pound great and former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster night of fights, live from New York City. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia in New York on Thursday afternoon (local time), White also expressed surprise at the lack of respect being shown to the UFC welterweight champion – revealing almost 80 per cent of US sports fans are tipping against JDM for the Madison Square Garden blockbuster.

Elsewhere, White refused to confirm if the UFC is returning to Sydney in February, as has been widely suggested, however with a grin did suggest UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski keep the date open.

The American fight promoter also urged NRL chairman Peter V’landys to continue with his push to get President Donald Trump to attend the 2026 NRL season launch, pointing to the fact he has already this year attended a regular season NFL game.

Despite being on an incredible tear stretching 18 straight fights, 29-year-old ‘Della’ was surprisingly greeted by boos at Thursday’s press conference inside MSG.

Speaking backstage immediately afterwards, White stressed the reaction had less to do with how the Australian is viewed Stateside however, and more to do with esteem in which Makhachev is now held, especially after vacating UFC lightweight gold to chase greatness.

Quizzed on the frosty reception that continued for Della every time he picked up the microphone, White said that, apart from New York having a large Muslim community, “you also have to look at the fact Islam is regarded as one of the best ever”.

However, the UFC boss did admit surprise at how many people are counting the champion out.

Only hours earlier, White said he had spoken with representatives of Polymarket, a prediction market company, who revealed to him that 78 per cent of fans were backing Makhachev.

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“So it’s like Jack is getting no respect,” he said. “The guy hasn’t lost in 10 years, is on an 18-fight win streak and just beat Belal Muhammad, who gave everybody hell.

“This fight is a lot closer than people are giving it credit for.”

And if Maddalena does go and cause an upset?

“This is the fight of his life,” White continued. “He wins this, you’ll see it flip.

“If he wins this weekend, he’s beaten one of the greatest of all time.

“A guy who tried to move up and take his belt of him.

“This will solidify him as the real deal.

“So Jack might feel disrespected today, but his whole life will change on Sunday if he beats Islam Makhachev.”

Asked his thoughts on the champ, generally, and White continued: “He’s a tough, gritty, well rounded and talented kid.

“Beating Belal wasn’t easy.

“He [Muhammad] was giving everyone in that division problems.

“So Jack definitely isn’t getting the credit he deserves.

“He’s being overlooked, by everybody.

“And this weekend is his real coming out party.”

So as for why he is being overlooked?

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev | SUN 16 NOV 2PM AEDT | Australia’s own Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Pound for Pound great and former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster night of fights, live from New York City. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

“It happens,” White shrugged. “I don’t think anything he has done before this is causing him to be overlooked.

“I actually think it’s the exact opposite.

“Islam has done so much.

“I mean, there was a question to Islam today, ‘if you beat Jack and get two belts are you the greatest ever?’. That’s what is at stake here when you look at how people feel about this fight for Islam.

“And the whole Dagestan thing, Khabib [Nurmagomedov], the camp they have out there, and a huge Muslim crowd … I’m sure Jack is feeling it.

“So should Jack win, everyone will be talking about him Sunday.”

When it comes to how 2026 is shaping up for Australia however, White was giving nothing away.

Asked specifically if this would be the interview where he announced the UFC was returning to Sydney in February, White laughed: “We’re working on some stuff. We’ve got this new [broadcast] deal coming up, we’re figuring out dates, where and when …”

Fair to say Volk should keep February clear though?

“It’s a possibility,” he grinned.

And as for who makes most sense to face the UFC featherweight champ should the UFC indeed return Down Under — Lerone Murphy, Diego Lopes or Movsar Evloev?

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“Yeah, I’m not telling you what we’re going to do with Volk next,” White said.

“Once we figure out what is next, we’ll announce it.

“I get it, you flew all the way out here and want to go home with something good, but I’m not ready to give any of that up yet.

“We’re heading into a new [broadcast] relationship and there are plenty of things to work out.”

And as for the NRL continuing its campaign to get Trump at a season launch?

“Absolutely they should,” White said. “He just went to an NFL game.

“A sitting president hadn’t been to a regular season NFL game in, like, a crazy amount of time.

“The seventies or something.

“But President Trump loves to support sports so I think they should.”