Jack Della Maddalena has promised to leave a piece of himself inside New York’s famed Madison Square Garden this Sunday, and after also becoming the first Australian fighter to ever light up his own electronic billboard at the city’s iconic Times Square.
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.
Now only days out from his UFC 322 blockbuster against Islam Makhachev, JDM has also warned the hyped Dagestani bogeyman is in for a “rude awakening” if he doesn’t expect to be tested in all areas of their title bout, including on the ground, when they square off this Sunday.
While he may be one of Australian sport’s most humble new superstars, ‘Della’ was on Wednesday evening afforded rockstar treatment at one of the world’s most famous tourist spots — with his image beamed large to thousands of tourists on a billboard covering the iconic New York Times building around dusk.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia afterwards, and surrounded by a large contingent of some 20 family members, friends and gym mates, the UFC welterweight champ described the honour, which took place over close to 30 minutes, as “incredibly special”.
JDM also sent a warning to Makhachev as he readies, this weekend, to headline what no less than UFC boss Dana White has described as a 2026 superfight.
Quizzed on throwing down against a rival many consider the UFC’s pound-for-pound No.1, Maddalena said: “It’s a big challenge in a pretty iconic venue.
“So I’m excited to go out there and leave some of myself in MSG.”
And as for Makhachev having said there is nobody in the welterweight division who can challenge him?
“We’ll see,” the champ continued. “I believe I’ve got the skills and I believe I can compete with tough fighters.
“So if he’s not expecting a tough fight, he’s going to be in for a rude awakening.
“This is a massive legacy fight [for me].
“Islam is one of the greatest fighters ever.
“It’s going to be a good scalp on the resume.”
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Speaking at Wednesday’s media day, Maddalena was also asked by US reporters what he had taken from his initial face off with Makhachev, which had taken place on top of the Empire State Building at the start of fight week.
“Not much,” the champ replied.
“We were also on top of a building, [laughs] so I was pretty freaked out.
“It was hard to gauge too much.”
Asked about the confidence he has displayed in interviews right throughout fight week, Maddalena continued: “I just believe in myself, believe in my team … trust the process”.
Elsewhere, Della said he was also ready to go to the ground with Makhachev, who is famed for his grappling.
“Going in there for five rounds with Islam,” the Perth native continued, “you have to expect to hit the ground at some point.
“He’s battle tested.
“He’s been against some of the best guys.
“Obviously in the perfect world we expect to keep him away and not let things hit the ground, but yeah … we expect a full mixed martial arts battle.”
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.
Thoughts on suggestions Makhachev slows down late in fights?
“Everyone slows down in five rounds,” JDM shrugged. “So we’ll trust the game and slow him down.
“I’m just super excited.
“This is a big challenge.
“Islam is one of the best fighters in the UFC and I’m looking forward to challenging myself against him.”
And as for the fact plenty of fighters on the UFC 322 undercard seem to be backing him to score the upset, despite bookies having already wound him wider than $3?
“I feel like the fighters always tend to lean toward the champion,” the Aussie said. “So I’m not really paying too much attention.
“And I still feel like I’m the underdog.
“Still have that underdog mentality.
“I’ve got everything to prove and I definitely enjoy the underdog role.”
Maddalena was also asked what he wants most this weekend, to retain the belt or take the shine from a man considered by many to be P4P king?
“Just to retain my belt,” he said.
“The pound for pound is very subjective, doesn’t mean much.
“So just go in there and get the win over Islam. That’s the goal.”
Della also doubled down on his promise to win Sunday’s fight for fellow Australian Alexander Volkanovski, who twice moved up to face Makhachev when he held the UFC lightweight crown – and lost both.
“Volk is the man,” he said.
“He’s inspiring for any Australian.
“He’s one of our greatest athletes. To call him a friend, watch him train, it’s been inspiring for me and shown me the level you need to get to to reach the heights he has got to.”
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