Jack Della Maddalena has broken his silence following his one-sided loss to Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 322, where he was defeated over five dominant rounds and lost the welterweight title.
The Australian, who hadn’t suffered a defeat in more than a decade, struggled to cope with Makhachev’s world-class grappling throughout the bout. The performance drew criticism from some fans, given the high expectations heading into the fight.
Della Maddalena has now issued his first public statement, sharing photos from fight week alongside a brief message: “Thanks to those always supporting. Islam is one of the greats and deserved to win. I will learn and move forward.”
His head coach, Ben Vickers, also praised Makhachev and encouraged Della Maddalena to take time to appreciate what they achieved this year. Vickers said he hopes his fighter uses his time away to reflect positively on 2025, noting that despite the loss, they still captured a world title and showcased their abilities at the highest level.
At 29, Della Maddalena remains a major presence in the welterweight division and is expected to stay in title contention for years to come.
