Jack Della Maddalena advocated for Ian Garry to receive a title fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Following his own recent event, Della Maddalena praised Garry's skills and potential impact on the division. This callout underscores ongoing debates in welterweight and cross-division matchups. It matters as it could influence UFC's title picture decisions amid contender shortages. Garry has been vocal about big opportunities, and this endorsement adds weight. Expect potential matchmaking ripples if Dana White considers it.
Jack Della Maddalena has publicly backed Ian Garry to receive a UFC title shot against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, adding a notable voice to the ongoing conversation around the division's contender picture.
Della Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and 13th on the pound-for-pound list, made the case for his fellow welterweight following a recent event. The 29-year-old Australian carries an 18-4 record and fights out of Scrappy MMA. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach, he is one of the most active strikers in the 170-pound class, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. His endorsement of Garry carries weight given his own standing in the division.
Makhachev, the reigning champion, holds a 28-1 record and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw trains with Eagles MMA and is known for a suffocating grappling-based game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes while also landing strikes at 58 percent accuracy. His dominance has made identifying a clear next challenger a persistent topic across multiple divisions.
Why it matters
- Della Maddalena's public support elevates Garry's case beyond self-promotion, lending it credibility from an established contender
- Cross-divisional matchup discussions reflect a broader shortage of obvious title challengers in the current UFC landscape
- Any movement on this front would have direct implications for the welterweight rankings, with Della Maddalena himself sitting just outside title contention
