Australia may be without a UFC champion after Alexander Volkanovki’s loss to Ilia Topuria but there could be a new title-holder down under soon, even if the former featherweight king is unable to reclaim his throne.
West Australian fighter Jack Della Maddalena has rocketed up into the top five of the welterweight rankings after his impressive TKO victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 on Sunday.
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“Who calls that guy out?!” | 01:21
And that win is even more impressive considering news from Della Maddalena’s manager Tim Simpson on Tuesday night, revealing the Australian pulled off the comeback with a broken left forearm.
Simpson posted a photo of Della Maddalena’s X-ray to his Instagram story, writing that the welterweight contender suffered the injury “early in the fight”.
“Rallied for a finish in the 3rd. Soldier! PS Gilbert kicks hard!” Simpson added.
Della Maddalena will find out on Thursday if he needs surgery according to Ariel Helwani.
Della Maddalena, who is still undefeated in seven UFC appearances, has now won 17 professional fights overall and called out the 18-0 Shavkat Rakhmonov after his latest win.
“It feels good. My plan was to come here and grab and dash the cash,” Della Maddalena said.
“There are some scary people in this division but I’m f***ing scary. Shavkat Rakhmonov, I think you and I would make a hell of a title eliminator. He’s one of the best in the business. Let’s go.”
A victory over Rakhmonov would put Della Maddalena firmly in the frame for a shot at the division’s champion Leon Edwards, although the undefeated Kazakhstani is confident he would make easy work of his Australian rival.
“I respect your courage and confidence Jack, but you will face the same fate as my previous opponents,” he wrote on X.
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