Former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena expressed hope for a rematch with Islam Makhachev ahead of his second title push. Della Maddalena lost unanimously to Makhachev in November 2025 at UFC 322, dominated by wrestling for over 19 minutes of control time. Now preparing his comeback, he called it 'the dream' but acknowledged Makhachev's career progression. He's open to facing Carlos Prates next amid stiff 170-pound competition. This callout signals Della Maddalena's determination to reclaim gold and adds intrigue to welterweight title picture. Fans can expect him to target top contenders en route to another shot.[3]
Jack Della Maddalena has spoken publicly about wanting a rematch with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, describing the prospect as "the dream" as he maps out his return to title contention. The report has not been officially confirmed, and the bout remains unscheduled.
The Australian, now 18-4-0 and ranked fourth at 170 pounds, is 29 years old and trains out of Scrappy MMA. A relentless volume striker, he averages 5.57 significant strikes per minute — among the highest in the division — though his takedown and submission numbers are minimal, which proved costly against Makhachev. He dropped the welterweight title to the Russian at UFC 322 in November 2025 via unanimous decision, with Makhachev reportedly controlling him for more than 19 minutes of the fight.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1-0 record and is the reigning welterweight champion and the number-one pound-for-pound fighter on the roster. The Dagestan native fights out of Eagles MMA and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 58 percent striking accuracy, a combination that made him difficult for Della Maddalena to solve. Della Maddalena acknowledged his rival's career progression while still framing a second meeting as an ambition worth pursuing.
In the near term, Della Maddalena has indicated openness to fighting Carlos Prates, the fifth-ranked welterweight. Prates, nicknamed "The Nightmare," is a 32-year-old Brazilian out of Vale Top Team who carries a 24-7-0 record. Standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach, he averages 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him a dangerous striker in his own right.
Why it matters
- A Della Maddalena win over Prates, ranked just one spot below him, would strengthen his case for an immediate title rematch.
- The unconfirmed callout adds noise to an already crowded welterweight title picture.
- Both Della Maddalena and Prates are switch-stance strikers, setting up a potentially high-output stylistic clash at 170 pounds.
