Jack Della Maddalena, the former UFC welterweight champion, is not rushing his return to the octagon, a move that is definitely raising some eyebrows. Coming off back-to-back losses, he is making it clear he won’t be swayed by location or timing when it comes to his next fight, even turning down an event in his home country.
Della Maddalena Isn’t Falling Into the Same Trap Twice
After his recent losses to current champ Islam Makhachev and, more recently, Carlos Prates at UFC Perth in May, Della Maddalena (18-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) is taking a hard look at his career. Rising contender Mike Malott (15-2-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) wasted no time calling him out after finishing Joaquin Buckley last month, and Della Maddalena said he’s totally into that matchup. “Yeah, for sure, I’d be into that,” he told Bedtime MMA, welcoming the challenge. But don’t expect it anytime soon. The UFC reportedly hit him up for a Fight Night event on February 6 in Sydney, and the former champ flat out said no.
He’s not just avoiding fights, though. Della Maddalena prefers traveling for bouts and admits he feels less pressure fighting away from home. While he loves the crowd backing him in Australia, he feels like he got “sucked in too early” for that Perth fight, almost like he “had to” take it. His plan after the last loss was to “develop the skills, become a better martial artist,” not just jump into the next fight because of where it was. He wants to give “the best performance for the fans, for the team.” That’s the kind of dedication you love to see, even if it means a longer wait.
What’s at Stake for the Former Champ’s Return
This isn’t Della Maddalena’s first rodeo bouncing back from adversity. The last time he took two losses in a row was at the very start of his pro career. After that, he ripped off 18 straight wins on his way to the UFC welterweight title. That’s a ridiculous run. He is looking at this current situation as a “speed bump,” not the end of the road, and you’ve got to respect that mindset.
The man isn’t just saying it, he means it. He is going to ride things out and is looking to make his return sometime in April or May next year. So, while we might have to wait a bit longer to see him back in action, Della Maddalena clearly believes his “best performances are in front of me.” Keep an eye out for him come next spring, because when he steps back into the cage, you know he’ll be ready to prove he’s still got what it takes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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