‘Only question is where’: Aussie champs join forces as collision course set for UFC bogeyman

Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena will fly 8000km in the next few weeks to train with Alexander Volkanovski – with the UFC featherweight king set to be part of a world title camp that also includes BJJ expert Craig Jones and, possibly, American rapper Action Bronson.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, ‘Della’ stressed Volkanovski will be a key part of preparations for his upcoming UFC 322 title blockbuster against Islam Makhachev, explaining: “He did what nobody else had done with that guy”.

JDM also stressed there is “no doubt” he will eventually throw down against new UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev – convinced the only real question is which of their belts will be up for grabs.

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Only months after becoming just Australia’s third UFC champion, Maddalena is already back in camp and readying for one of the biggest first up title defences in Octagon history – challenging Makhachev in a New York superfight on November 16.

And as part of preparations for the Madison Square Garden blockbuster, the 28-year-old Perth native has confirmed he will travel across the country at least once to spend time in Wollongong with Volkanovski – who has twice faced Makhachev previously.

While Volk lost on both occasions he moved up, Maddalena says his performances against the then UFC lightweight champ – particularly in the first decision loss – means “I have to pick his brain”.

Another man joining ‘Della’ for all 10 weeks of camp is Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star Craig Jones, who was with Team Volkanovski for both Makhachev fights.

Maddalena also revealed that, as part of preparations, he will also fly into New York two weeks before his fight, but admitted to having no contacts with UFC fighters or gyms in the Big Apple.

So as for who he does know there?

“Action Bronson,” the champ laughed.

“We met him after my last win, when I visited New York with the family.

“I don’t really know anyone else but I’m itching to get over there early.

“The sooner I can get into an environment before fights and become comfortable — get your local coffee shop, stuff like that — the better.”

Apart from readying for the monster task that is Makhachecv – aka, the UFC’s No.1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter – JDM is also in the crosshairs of Chimaev.

After recently taking the UFC middleweight belt from Dricus du Plessis, the Chechnyan declared his plans on becoming a three-division champion – at middleweight, light heavyweight and welterweight.

With the first box already ticked, Chimaev said he would need only a few months preparation to move back down and take gold from “this Australian guy”.

And while JDM stresses his focus is currently on Makhachev, he added there was little doubt he would eventually clash with Chimaev.

“Honestly, I’ve always thought our paths will cross at some point,” Australia’s newest fight star said this week.

“And I truly believe we will fight — the only question is where.

“Can he still make welterweight? I don’t know.

“But I could definitely make middleweight.

“And if we’re both active over the next two, three years … no doubt that fight happens.”

Thoughts on his most recent win?

“Great job,” JDM continued.

“Because who else has done that to Dricus? He made it look easy.”

The West Australian also disagreed with those who suggested the comprehensive victory, which saw Chimaev control almost the entire fight on the ground, was boring.

“I actually liked it,” he said.

“I understood Dricus was a guy who would do better as the fight went on, so you kept thinking ‘OK, yes, this is his time’.

“I was engaged the whole time.”

And as for Chimaev referring to you only as the Australian guy?

“I’d think he knows my name, but who knows?” the West Australian grinned.

“Some fighters aren’t really into the sport, just do their own thing.

“And if he doesn’t know me, that’s fine.

“Those things don’t upset me at all.”

Instead, what worries JDM is getting at least one visit to Windang in the next dozen weeks.

Understanding his Makhachev blockbuster comes off the back of him recently vacating the UFC lightweight crown after four successful defences – including twice against Volkanovski.

While Volk was brutally stopped in his second attempt at ‘Champ Champ’ status against the Dagestani superstar — and on just 11 days notice — his first showdown in 2023 was a closely contested affair.

As a result, JDM revealed he will again be travelling across the country during this camp so that he can train with Volkanovski, who is himself in a second featherweight reign.

Maddalena has also travelled to train with Volk during both his previous preparations, and also brought Craig Jones in a few weeks before taking the world title from Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May.

“I haven’t set up specific plans yet but I’ll definitely be training with him, picking his brain because the guy knows the sport inside out,” he said of Volkanovski.

“Working with someone who has been in with Islam twice, that’s invaluable.

“I need to pick his brain for sure.”

JDM will also have Australian BJJ star Jones join him for all 10 weeks of camp.

“I’ll get an extensive amount of time with him which is important,” he said.

“Craig’s as much of an expert as you can be in jiu jitsu, while also having a high knowledge of judo, of wrestling … plus he’s spent two full camps with Volk and in that first fight, you could see how well did in the grappling.

“Volk is way smaller than Makhachev, but what he was able to do with technique … he did what nobody else had done with that guy.”