Jack Della Maddalena stated post-fight that Ian Garry deserves a title fight against Islam Makhachev, boosting Garry's lightweight title contention amid welterweight shakeups. This callout came after Della Maddalena's loss at UFC Perth on May 2, 2026, highlighting cross-division respect and potential matchmaking shifts. It matters for the lightweight division as it adds external pressure on UFC to consider Garry amid Makhachev's reign. Expect UFC to evaluate Garry's next booking carefully, possibly accelerating his title path if he wins convincingly.
Jack Della Maddalena used his post-fight platform at UFC Perth on May 2, 2026 to publicly back Ian Garry for a lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, an unexpected cross-divisional endorsement that adds a new voice to the conversation around Makhachev's next challenger.
Della Maddalena, a 29-year-old Australian welterweight out of Scrappy MMA, entered the Perth card ranked fourth in the welterweight division and thirteenth in the pound-for-pound standings, carrying an 18-4 record. Known for elite striking output — he lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute, among the highest rates in his weight class — the switch-stance fighter stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach. His loss on the night did not stop him from speaking up about the lightweight picture.
Makhachev, the reigning champion with a 28-1 record, holds the pound-for-pound number-one spot at 34 years old. The Russian Southpaw out of Eagles MMA is one of the sport's most complete fighters, posting 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 58 percent striking accuracy and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His dominance has kept the lightweight title conversation active even amid turbulence in other divisions.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena's endorsement places external public pressure on the UFC to weigh Garry as a legitimate lightweight title contender
- Makhachev's next opponent remains unsettled, making any credible name floated from outside the division a potential matchmaking factor
- The callout reflects broader welterweight shakeups that are pushing fighters to look across divisional lines for opportunity
- Garry's path to a title booking may hinge on his next performance, with Della Maddalena's words potentially adding momentum to that case
