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What’s Next For Jack Della Maddalena?

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Nov 18, 2025 11:38 PM ET

Jack Della Maddalena’s coach, Ben Vickers, has spoken out after his fighter lost his welterweight title to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322.

Makhachev secured a unanimous decision victory 50-45 (x3), giving Della Maddalena his first MMA loss. The manner of the loss was hard to take, given Islam dominated despite the pre-fight narrative that he might struggle since he was moving up from lightweight. Della had also secured his biggest win heading into the fight, beatintg Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May to secure the title. The Australian had also been training with the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who had faced Islam twice even if he came up short both times. Since the loss, Della Maddalena has remained quiet on social media. However, his coach had this to say.

“I am more proud of Jack and the team today than ever before. True, we didn’t get the marbles but we dared to dream and took our shot. It hurts. It hurts like hell but we aren’t defined by this sport it’s just what we love to do. We have felt all the support and love over the last couple weeks and decades and it means the world. I love Jack and the Team and I love Scrappy MMA and our community. I’ll see you all on the mats as soon as I’m back in glorious P Town. And rest assured, this is the beginning not the end,” Vickers said

The Future

Naturally, this raises questions over what is next for Jack. He could take on a high-ranked contender such as Shavkat Rakhmonov. Rakhmonov has been sidelined due to injury for around year. His last win was against Ian Machado Garry in December 2024. However, a win over him would place Della Maddalena back in the title conversation, especially since Rakhmonov is undefeated with a 7-0 UFC record.

Ian Machado Garry is also another option. This hinges on Garry defeating Belal Muhammad next. If Garry wins, the matchup with Della Maddalena (who previously defeated Muhammad for the title) becomes a massive, high-profile striker vs. striker clash. Garry’s only loss came against Rakhmonov, but he bounced back from that by beating Carlos Prates in his last bout.

Reaction

Sean O’Malley recognized that Jack had been beaten by the better man in Islam. However, he felt bad for the former champion given he had to take on a fighter such as Islam in his first defense. This is especially since he had already beaten Belal, who was considered as the bogeyman in the division. O’Malley, who was the former bantamweight champion, felt his first title defense was much easier.

“Islam moving up from 155 to 170, fighting JDM the champ. Poor JDM, he goes out there, he gets the belt, he wins the belt, and the first title defense is Islam. Fortunate for me, I win the belt, they gave me Chito. Woo! We got the game wrapped up on our finger there. It’s crazy how much damage he didn’t take and how good of a job he did not getting submitted. It sucks that’s the takeaway, but that was very impressive for him not to get submitted. … It was very good, but at the end of the day you’re still on your back, it’s still nothing. Nothing you can do about that. Unfortunate for JDM,” O’Malley said

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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