Jack Della Maddalena Breaks Silence on Makhachev Loss and Predicts Topuria Fight
It’s been a rough few months for Jack Della Maddalena. If you’ve been following the welterweight timeline, you know the script didn’t exactly go according to plan for the Aussie striker. We all watched UFC 322. We all saw the “dagestani handcuff” come out to play. Losing the belt is one thing; getting smothered for five rounds at Madison Square Garden by Islam Makhachev is a different kind of heartbreak entirely.
But, in true combat sports fashion, the news cycle doesn’t stop just because a champion got wrestled into oblivion. Recently, Maddalena popped up in perhaps the most unexpected place possible: a live stream with N3on. Yeah, the guy who usually creates chaos in public places is now breaking down high-level MMA matchmaking. Because of course he is.
The Reality Check of UFC 322
Let’s be honest for a second. Going into that November fight, the hype train for Maddalena was off the rails. He had the boxing, he had the momentum, and he had that sleek style that makes fight fans drool. But Islam Makhachev is a dream killer. The source material paints a pretty clear picture: Maddalena had absolutely no answer for the wrestling.
It’s the classic “striker vs. grappler” tale that’s as old as UFC 1. You can have the prettiest hands in the division, but if you can’t stop the takedown, you’re just a punching bag on the canvas. Maddalena admitted as much during the stream, noting that he got “stuck” in Islam‘s top position. It wasn’t just a loss; it was a lesson in physics. When a guy that strong decides you aren’t standing up, you aren’t standing up.
Maddalena Weighs in on Makhachev vs. Topuria
While licking his wounds, Maddalena took a moment to play matchmaker for the guy who just beat him. The MMA world is currently buzzing about a potential clash between Makhachev and featherweight king Ilia Topuria. The rumor mill—which is usually about as reliable as a chocolate teapot—is suggesting this could go down at a historic “UFC White House” event. Yes, you read that right. The White House. We are officially living in a simulation.
Despite the weird venue rumors, the analysis from Maddalena was surprisingly grounded. You might expect a fighter to be bitter, but he kept it real. His pick? Makhachev. The reason? Size.
It’s not rocket science. Topuria is a beast at 145 lbs, and he hits like a truck, but Islam looked massive in the cage against Maddalena. If a natural welterweight felt small in there, imagining a featherweight trying to stop those takedowns is almost comical. Maddalena did give Topuria a puncher’s chance, noting that if Ilia can keep it on the feet, we have a fight. But that’s a “big if” the size of the Grand Canyon.
The Suicide Mission: Calling Out Shavkat Rakhmonov
Here is where you have to respect the absolute lack of self-preservation instinct in Maddalena. Most guys, after losing their belt in a grueling wrestling match, would look for a nice, easy “get right” fight. Maybe a striker who is allergic to takedowns. Someone fun.
Not Jack. When asked about his path back to the gold, Maddalena didn’t hesitate. He wants Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“That’s the fight,” he said. “That would be the dream.” Is it a dream, Jack? Or is it a nightmare? Calling out the undefeated “Nomad”—who is fresh off beating Ian Machado Garry—is bordering on lunacy. Shavkat is a terrifying human being who finishes everyone he touches. But you have to admire the logic here. Maddalena knows that in the modern UFC, you don’t get a rematch by beating a journeyman. You get it by taking the scariest fight available and winning.
If Maddalena can somehow derail the Shavkat hype train, the UFC brass would have no choice but to throw him back in there with Makhachev. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy that usually ends with someone waking up looking at the arena lights, but that’s the game.
What’s Next for the Former Champ?
Currently, Maddalena is in that weird limbo state. He’s no longer the king of the hill, but he’s too dangerous for the gatekeepers. He needs a miracle run to get that belt back before 2027 rolls around.
The “White House” card is rumored for early 2026, and if the stars align, we might see the official announcements drop in February. Until then, Maddalena seems content to heal up, hit the wrestling mats (desperately, one assumes), and maybe hop on a few more streams to keep his name in the algorithm.
It’s going to be a long road back to the summit. Islam Makhachev isn’t going anywhere, and he’s only looking more dominant with every title defense. But if anyone has the boxing chops to catch him slipping, it’s still Maddalena—he just needs to figure out how to stay upright long enough to throw a punch.
