Jack Della Maddalena

Giacomo "Jack" Della Maddalena (born 10 September 1996), also known by his initials JDM, is an Australian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Welterweight Champion. As of 5 May 2026, he is #4 in the Meta UFC welterweight rankings.

Early life and education Giacomo Della Maddalena was born on 10 September 1996 in Perth, Western Australia, into a family of Australian and Italian descent as one of his grandfathers is from Sardinia. He attended St. Kevin's College in Melbourne, before returning to Perth and completing school at Aquinas College. While at St Kevin’s he was a friend and classmate of Olympian and Australian Rugby sevens player Henry Hutchison. Della Maddalena is an avid supporter of the Australian national rugby union team (Wallabies) and the Fremantle Dockers in the Australian Football League.

He started playing rugby at the age of eight and represented his school from year six to year twelve. Influenced by his older brother Josh, Della Maddalena joined a boxing gym at the age of fourteen, using it to improve his fitness for the rugby season. He fell in love with the sport, and after his rugby career ended, he transitioned into full-time MMA training.

Mixed martial arts career Early career He made his professional debut on 12 March 2016 against Aldin Bates, losing the contest via TKO in the 3rd round. He went on to lose his next fight against Darcy Vendy via submission in the first round, before accumulating a nine-fight winning streak whilst securing the Eternal Welterweight Championship and defending it four times.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Della Maddalena was scheduled to make his UFC debut against The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 middleweight winner Warlley Alves on 22 January 2022 at UFC 270. However, Alves pulled out in early January due to undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Pete Rodriguez. Della Maddalena won the bout via TKO in the first round.

Della Maddalena faced Ramazan Emeev on 11 June 2022 at UFC 275. He won the fight via TKO in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Della Maddalena faced Danny Roberts on 19 November 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba. He won the fight via technical knockout in round one. With this win, Della Maddalena earned his second straight Performance of the Night bonus.

Della Maddalena faced Randy Brown on 12 February 2023 at UFC 284. He won the bout via first round submission. The win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Della Maddalena was scheduled to face Sean Brady on 8 July 2023 at UFC 290. However, on 30 June, Brady withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Josiah Harrell. The day before the event on 7 July, Harrell was pulled from the fight due to being diagnosed with Moyamoya disease during his pre-fight medical screening and the bout was scrapped.

Della Maddalena faced promotional newcomer Bassil Hafez on 15 July 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Bueno Silva. He won the bout via split decision. Both fighters earned the Fight of the Night bonus.

Della Maddalena faced Kevin Holland on 16 September 2023 at UFC Fight Night 227. He won the bout by split decision. 16 out of 16 media scorecards scored it for Della Maddalena.

Della Maddalena faced Gilbert Burns on 9 March 2024 at UFC 299. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

UFC Welterweight Champion Della Maddalena was scheduled to face former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards in the main event on 22 March 2025 at UFC Fight Night 255. However, he was pulled from that fight in order to compete against Belal Muhammad for the UFC Welterweight Championship on 10 May 2025 at UFC 315. Della Maddalena won the bout and the championship via unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

On 28 August 2025, it was announced that Della Maddalena would face former UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, who vacated the lightweight title at UFC 317, on 15 November 2025 at UFC 322. Della Maddalena lost the championship by unanimous decision.

Post-championship Della Maddalena faced Carlos Prates on May 2, 2026 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 275. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Welterweight Championship (One time) First Australian UFC Welterweight Champion Performance of the Night (Four times) UFC Honors Awards 2024: Fan's Choice Comeback of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2022: Newcomer of the Year 2025: Ranked #4 Fight of the Year Eternal MMA Eternal MMA Welterweight Championship (One time) Four successful title defenses Reign Fighting Reign Fighting Welterweight Championship (One time) ESPN 2022 UFC Men's Rookie of the Year Cageside Press 2022 Newcomer of the Year Bleacher Report 2022 Best Fighter on the Rise GiveMeSport 2022 UFC Prospect of the Year LowKick MMA 2022 UFC Newcomer of the Year MMA Fighting 2022 Third Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Carlos Prates TKO (leg kicks and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Perth, Australia Loss

Islam Makhachev Decision (unanimous) UFC 322

New York City, New York, United States Win

Belal Muhammad Decision (unanimous) UFC 315

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Gilbert Burns KO (knee and elbows) UFC 299

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Kevin Holland Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bassil Hafez Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Randy Brown Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 284

Perth, Australia Win

Danny Roberts TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ramazan Emeev TKO (punches) UFC 275

Kallang, Singapore Win

Pete Rodriguez TKO (punches) UFC 270

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Ange Loosa Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 39

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Aldin Bates KO (punch) Eternal MMA 53

Perth, Australia Win

Glen Pettigrew TKO (punches) Eternal MMA 51

Perth, Australia Win

Kevin Jousset TKO (doctor stoppage) Eternal MMA 48

Melbourne, Australia Win

Dean Abramo TKO (punches) Eternal MMA 37

Perth, Australia Win

Luke Howard KO (punch) Eternal MMA 31

Perth, Australia Win

James Duckett Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Warriors 88

Liverpool, England Win

Ty Duncan TKO (punches) Eternal MMA 26

Gold Coast, Australia Win

Glen Pettigrew TKO (punches) Reign Fighting 3

Brisbane, Australia Win

Brandt Cogill KO (elbow) Eternal MMA 20

Gold Coast, Australia Loss

Darcy Vendy Submission (rear-naked choke) Eternal MMA 17

Gold Coast, Australia Loss

Aldin Bates TKO (punches) Eternal MMA 15

Perth, Australia

Pay-per-view bouts