Jack Della Maddalena stated that Ian Garry deserves a title fight against Islam Makhachev, boosting Garry's case in welterweight discussions. This callout highlights internal division debates on contenders amid recent shakeups. It matters as it pressures UFC matchmaking toward high-profile welterweight clashes, potentially accelerating Garry's path. Della Maddalena's endorsement carries weight from his own ranking position. Next, watch for UFC responses or Garry callouts in pressers.
Jack Della Maddalena has publicly backed Ian Garry for a welterweight title shot, stating that Garry deserves a crack at champion Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev sits atop the welterweight division as champion and holds the number-one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, carrying a record of 28 wins and just one loss. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a technically complete fighter who lands 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts 1.1 submissions in the same window, complementing a striking accuracy of 58 percent. He is one of the most complete competitors in the sport across any weight class.
Della Maddalena himself is no peripheral voice in this conversation. The 29-year-old Australian is ranked fourth in the welterweight division and sits thirteenth in the pound-for-pound standings with a record of 18-4. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, the Scrappy MMA product is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute, a figure that places him among the busiest hands in the weight class.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena holds a top-five divisional ranking, giving his endorsement genuine weight in contender discussions
- The callout adds public pressure on UFC matchmakers to clarify the welterweight title picture
- Garry's path to a championship bout could accelerate if prominent ranked fighters continue to publicly support his case
- Makhachev's combination of elite grappling and sharp striking makes any potential title challenger selection a significant stylistic consideration
