Jack Della Maddalena has created Western Australian sporting history, becoming the state’s first UFC champion. Della Maddalena (18-2) has marked himself as one of the best mixed martial artists in the world, claiming the welterweight title in a five-round war against Belal Muhammad (24-2) at UFC 315 in Montreal on Sunday, May 11, 2025. The 28-year-old Perth fighter won via unanimous decision, with all three judges declaring him the victor and crowning him the first ever UFC champion from WA.
Della Maddalena executed his gameplan perfectly, ensuring he didn’t get taken down by the wrestler until the fourth round as he jabbed away at Muhammad before winning the better of the brutal exchanges to join Sydney’s Alexander Volkanovski as an Australian UFC champion. “I was expecting an all-round offense from Muhammad. You can never expect anything, you’ve just got to roll with it which is exactly what I did,” Della Maddalena said. “The gameplan was to stay off the fence; I feel like he does his best work on the fence. He was just walking down, pushing me up against the fence but I felt like every time he came in I was able to hit him and then get off the fence.”
Della Maddalena ensured the fight was on the feet early and he looked comfortable, switching stances and taking jabs at the champion while backing him to the fence, all the while keeping control of the middle of the cage. The West Australian’s confidence lifted when he stopped Muhammad’s first takedown attempt, which resulted in him pressing even further forward. Della Maddalena continued the momentum in the second round, again resisting the takedown from Muhammad and busting the nose of the veteran who struggled with the challenger’s gameplan.
As the third round unfolded, Muhammad tried to up the ante with his striking, but Della Maddalena’s boxing was clearly superior, moving his head to limit the blows while also landing better shots. It meant Della Maddalena had likely won all three rounds, leaving Muhammad desperately needing a finish to retain his title. The 38-year-old responded in kind in the fourth round, coming out swinging with strikes rarely seen from the American-based champion. But Della Maddalena absorbed them once again and kept his feet despite Muhammad’s wrestling pressure.
The fifth round was an all-out war, with Della Maddalena cutting Muhammad’s cheek open while the Australian’s eye was nearly closed after copping some punishment. In the end, though, all Della Maddalena had to do was ensure the now former champion didn’t get a finish, with the Scrappy MMA product claiming his eighth win in the octagon and ensuring he would forever be part of UFC history.
Many now believe Della Maddalena will defend the title against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who wants to become a double champion. Makhachev took to social media after the Australian’s victory to tout a potential fight in the near future. Della Maddalena said Makhachev deserved a shot but there were plenty of good welterweights as well. “I think he deserves the shot if he wants to step up, but that’s not my call, it’s up to the UFC,” he said. “It (the win over Muhammad) was a good practice match for Islam. It’s a good run, but this is just the beginning.”
Della Maddalena expressed his desire to be an active champion after winning the title in his first fight in 14 months, having been sidelined with a serious arm injury. “I want to get some finishes … it’d be nice to be a champion who gets back-to-back finishes,” he said. “We’ll go back to the drawing board, keep working and I think there will be a lot of stuff to take away from this fight, and next fight you’ll see a better version of me.”
In a historic moment for Australian mixed martial arts, Della Maddalena’s victory means Australia now boasts two current UFC champions for the first time ever, with Alexander Volkanovski holding the featherweight title. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as previously, Robert Whittaker was the only other champion in Australian history, holding the middleweight division title.
Post-fight, Della Maddalena reflected on his journey, stating, “Australia, we got three of these babies, let’s go!” He acknowledged the pressure he felt throughout the fight, saying, “I knew I had to be smart on my feet. I should have been a bit sharper with the shots.” Despite the challenges, he remained confident, asserting, “Belal's the man, he's a tough dude.”
As the dust settles from this epic showdown, fans are eagerly anticipating Della Maddalena's next move in the octagon. With a perfect 8-0 record since joining the UFC in 2022, and a remarkable comeback from injury, he has proven himself as a formidable contender in the welterweight division. The MMA community is buzzing with excitement over the potential matchups that lie ahead, particularly the prospect of a title defense against Makhachev.
The UFC 315 event not only showcased Della Maddalena’s skills but also highlighted the growing prominence of Australian fighters on the global stage. With both Della Maddalena and Volkanovski holding titles, Australia is firmly establishing itself as a powerhouse in mixed martial arts.
As the UFC continues to evolve, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Della Maddalena, who has shown that he is ready to take on all challengers. His journey is just beginning, and fans can expect to see more thrilling performances from the new welterweight champion in the future.
