Jacques Della Maddalena showcased his skills as a top welterweight contender during UFC 299 by defeating Gilbert Burns with a knockout in a tough match. Despite breaking his arm severely, he persevered and secured the victory in the late stages of the third round.
In a recent interview with ESPN, the Australian fighter mentioned that he was unaware of when his arm broke and didn’t realize the extent of the fracture during the bout.
Della Maddalena shared, “I didn’t feel like it was broken, just that I had lost grip strength. I couldn’t hold onto things properly. I thought it might be a severe bruise due to the impact of the kicks on my forearm. I knew something had happened, but I had no idea it was this severe.”
He added, “The pain hit me hard about five seconds after the referee intervened. Adrenaline truly is a powerful thing. It felt strangely satisfying.”
Post-fight, Della Maddalena issued a challenge to the No. 3-ranked fighter in the division, Shavkat Rakhmonov, known for being a tough opponent. Despite the rarity of fighters calling out Rakhmonov, Della Maddalena had been seeking this showdown for a while.
“I’ve been eyeing this fight for probably the last three years, ever since my Contender Series bout or my UFC debut,” he explained. “I’ve always viewed him as the toughest challenge in this division. This is something I’ve eagerly anticipated for a long time. It was a true battle.”
Jack, I respect your courage and confidence, but you will face the same fate as my former enemy.
— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) March 10, 2024
Rakhmonov’s fierce response to the challenge has only intensified fans’ anticipation for a potential matchup with Della Maddalena. While there hasn’t been any official confirmation from the UFC yet, ‘JDM’ believes that the fight might be in the works.
“I think they recognize it’s bound to happen, and they’re likely working towards making it happen at the right moment,” he remarked. “Personally, I feel now is the perfect time for this showdown. I believe it could be the most significant title-eliminator in UFC history. Shavkat’s response was excellent; he’s like a character from a James Bond movie, and I appreciate his reply. I’m not entirely sure how this process unfolds, but I have a good feeling about it.”
“He seems interested in competing in early August; considering both our injuries, I’m also open to a fight at that time. Maybe in mid-August, possibly on this side of the globe. Who knows?”
