Australian welterweight Jack Della Maddalena has expressed his desire to face Islam Makhachev again inside the Octagon. The fighter stated that his goal is to challenge himself and see if he can improve his skills enough to secure a victory in a potential rematch. Della Maddalena acknowledged that achieving this goal will be difficult given the current level of competition in the division. The post notes that he will need a convincing victory over his next opponent, Prates, to position himself for such an opportunity. No timeline or concrete plans for the rematch were mentioned in the statement.
Jack Della Maddalena has made clear he wants another shot at Islam Makhachev, publicly stating his ambition to face the welterweight champion in a rematch and test whether continued improvement can produce a different result.
Della Maddalena, 29, carries a 18-4 record and sits fourth in the welterweight rankings, also placing thirteenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The Australian out of Scrappy MMA is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, the switch-stance fighter has built his reputation almost entirely on his hands, averaging just 0.13 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Makhachev, now campaigning at welterweight after moving up from lightweight, holds a 28-1 record and wears champion's gold in the division. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains with Eagles MMA, is the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. At five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, Makhachev blends crisp striking — landing at 58 percent accuracy — with relentless wrestling, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Della Maddalena acknowledged the difficulty of his goal and noted that a convincing win over his next opponent, Prates, would be the necessary next step before any title conversation becomes realistic. No official timeline or formal discussions for a rematch were mentioned.
Why it matters
- A win over Prates could solidify Della Maddalena's position as the welterweight division's top contender
- The stylistic contrast is stark — Della Maddalena's high-volume striking against Makhachev's elite grappling and takedown output
- Makhachev's pound-for-pound status means any challenger needs an undeniable case before earning a title shot
