Della Maddalena: Garry deserves Makhachev shot

Jack Della Maddalena has inserted himself into a cross-divisional conversation, publicly stating that Ian Garry deserves a title shot against Islam Makhachev. The Australian welterweight made the callout ahead of what figures to be a busy stretch for the 170-pound division, adding his voice to the growing superfight buzz surrounding Makhachev.

Della Maddalena, 29, carries a 18-4 record and sits fourth in the welterweight rankings, also checking in at number 13 in the pound-for-pound standings. The Perth native trains out of Scrappy MMA and has built a reputation as one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. At six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach, he presents a physically imposing frame for the division.

Islam Makhachev holds the welterweight title and boasts a 28-1 record, sitting at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old. The Russian, who trains with Eagles MMA, combines elite grappling with sharp striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. His submission threat remains constant, averaging 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Della Maddalena is a top-five welterweight weighing in on who should challenge the champion, keeping his own name central to divisional conversation
• A potential Makhachev versus Garry superfight would carry significant cross-divisional implications for both the 170-pound and 155-pound landscapes
• The stylistic contrast between Makhachev's grappling dominance and a striker-first approach makes any such matchup a compelling talking point for fans and matchmakers alike
• Della Maddalena's striking volume and ranking mean his public takes carry weight beyond simple social media noise