Jack Della Maddalena burst into the UFC elite so quickly that for many fans he until recently remained just “the new Australian with heavy hands”. Now he is the reigning welterweight champion who took the belt from Belal Muhammad – Islam Makhachev's sparring partner and teammate – and is ready to face the challenge of the dominant lightweight champion. On November 16 at UFC 322, Della Maddalena will make his first title defense and at the same time may prevent Makhachev from rewriting history by conquering yet another weight class. But who exactly is hiding behind that calm face and crooked nose?
Italian Roots Under the Australian Sun
Jack's story is a classic example of a cultural blend. His grandfather is from Sardinia, while his father and Jack himself were born in Australia, yet the family preserved its Italian surname and traditions. The champion's full name is Giacomo Della Maddalena; “Della” is a prefix to the surname meaning “of” or “from”. So even in the new welterweight king's official documents there is a tiny built-in geography note.
A Brother, Childhood Fights, and the Transition From Pro Wrestling to MMA
From early childhood Jack was never alone – his older brother Josh, just two years his senior, was always by his side. Together they were glued to WWE shows and then tried to copy the moves they saw at home. As usually happens, this “wrestling” quickly turned into real fights. By the age of 12–13, Della Maddalena gradually drifted away from being a pro-wrestling fan and became increasingly immersed in the world of mixed martial arts.
Rugby as a School of Character and Toughness
Before he ever put on MMA gloves, Jack was living what you could call a “never-ending weekend” rugby life. He started playing at six and spent many years stepping onto the field every weekend. In Australia, rugby is not just a sport but a way of building character: constant collisions, a fight for every meter, and relentless competition. Jack has admitted that it was rugby that instilled in him a thirst for competition and a desire to dominate opponents physically. That experience fit perfectly as the foundation of his future career inside the cage.
Boxing, the First Gyms, and the Final Choice in Favor of MMA
At 14, the Della Maddalena brothers signed up for a boxing gym. At first it was more of a hobby: staying in shape and learning the basics. But the high pace, attention to detail, and the beauty of striking technique completely captivated Jack. When school rugby tournaments ended, both brothers fully switched to MMA, starting to see it not as entertainment, but as a future profession.
Idols: From Diaz's Street Style to Masvidal's Grit
You can always see how a fighter is shaped by looking at who he looked up to in his youth. For Jack, those figures were Nick Diaz and Jorge Masvidal – fighters who combined a hard-nosed mindset, street-born self-belief, and a fan-friendly, action-packed style. Among current elite stars he singles out Petr Yan for his discipline, compact boxing, and ability to break opponents down tactically.
A Love of Cinema and a “Chocolate” Classic
An unexpected touch to the portrait: Della Maddalena's favorite film is the 1971 classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. There is almost nothing from the world of fighting there, but a lot from the world of imagination and eccentric characters. In contrast with his brutal profession, this fairy-tale-like story makes Jack's image a bit more multi-layered and human.
Starting With Two Losses and the Road to a “Perfect” Record
Many champions like to reminisce about victorious debuts, but for Jack things were different. He lost his first two professional MMA fights. One of those defeats came at middleweight, and the other was later “crossed out” by a spectacular first-round knockout win. After that rough start, Della Maddalena completely overhauled his training and set himself a clear goal – to at least bring his record to 10–2. In the end, he not only reached that milestone but surpassed it: he is now 18–2, with a UFC championship belt over his shoulder.
Office, Suit, and Fight Cards: From Finance Professional to Champion
Before signing with the UFC, Jack lived what felt like a “double life”: office worker by day, professional fighter by night. Even after becoming champion of the regional promotion Eternal MMA, he continued to show up at the office of a company called Key Factors. His job was to analyze other companies' solvency and their ability to pay their bills on time. A completely different world: numbers, reports, and risk assessments. Jack admitted that this contrast helped him stay balanced – after a day at the computer, he genuinely wanted to pour everything out on the training mats.
The First Camp Without a Day Job and the Taste of a True Professional's Life
Della Maddalena first felt like a full-time professional only when he prepared for his fight on Dana White's Contender Series. That was the first time he allowed himself not to juggle the office and the gym: no more hunting for small “windows” between calls and reports, proper sleep, real recovery, and even time to cook healthy food for himself. That camp became the starting point for a new version of Jack – a fighter who lives solely for his performances.
No Extra Noise: Minimal Trash Talk, Maximum Self-Belief
In an era when many fighters build their careers through loud statements, Della Maddalena looks almost old-school. He openly acknowledges that he dislikes trash talk and prefers to speak directly and to the point. UFC commentator Jon Anik has said that at media events Jack doesn't say much, but every word sounds confident and weighty. He is not playing a character; he is a man who knows he can explain everything inside the Octagon.
Family as the Main Engine of His Career
His wife Michelle has been with Jack from his very first steps in MMA. Today the couple has two children, and Della Maddalena calls them his biggest source of motivation and a true blessing. For a fighter who went through early losses and a tough climb through an office job and regional promotions, this kind of support is the foundation on which his entire career is built.
The UFC Bonus Machine and Three Hundred Thousand Dollars for Pure Entertainment
Jack's style has long been appreciated not only by fans but also by the matchmakers: he consistently racks up post-fight bonuses. After his win over Belal Muhammad, he has already collected six bonuses in eight UFC bouts – twice for Fight of the Night and four times for Performance of the Night. Just in bonuses alone he has earned around $300,000 in three years, proving that every time Della Maddalena steps into the Octagon, a show is guaranteed.
A Broken Nose, Fearless Style, and a Challenge to Makhachev
One more distinctive feature of the champion's portrait is his nose – crooked, like a symbol of all the rounds he has gone through in the cage. Della Maddalena admits that he broke it badly early in his career, most likely in his second professional MMA fight, when he took a knee flush to the face. He recalls that moment like this: “From that day on, it has been pointing the wrong way.”
Today this “imperfect” profile is turned toward one of the most fearsome opponents out there – Islam Makhachev. The Australian champion with Italian roots, a background in finance and rugby, a broken nose, and a solid family behind him is far from just another challenger. He is a comprehensive test for Makhachev in a new division. Islam may be used to breaking opponents tactically and physically, but it is Jack Della Maddalena who might prove to be the man to find the limit of the Dagestani champion's dominance.
