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Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena has declared himself just two fights away from UFC welterweight king Leon Edwards – and expects to get there with a blockbuster hometown eliminator against undefeated phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Only days out from the biggest fight of his UFC career, Maddalena has also taken aim at welterweight big guns Colby Covington and Ian Machado Garry – suggesting the first has lost his “heart” to compete, while the later is simply “strange”.
The undeniable Next Big Thing of Australian fighting, 27-year-old ‘Della’ is looking to catapult himself into world title contention against Brazilian Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 in Miami, Florida this Sunday.
While the West Australian product is now on a tear stretching 16 straight wins – and all six appearances in the UFC – Burns is himself ranked No. 5 among UFC welterweights and has long been considered among the division’s elite.
Yet speaking with Fox Sports Australia from his US camp this week, Maddalena said he not only planned to finish Burns on Sunday’s stacked card, but then wants his next shot to be against Kazakh star Rakhmonov.
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The Aussie also wants that fight on what the rumoured UFC pay-Per-View event being discussed for Down Under – and most likely Perth – in either August or September.
Already, Australia’s first UFC champ Robert Whittaker has declared himself a potential headliner for that card, and could also be fighting a world title eliminator against American contender, and previous champion, Sean Strickland.
Quizzed on how he expects his own 2024 to play out, Maddalena said: “Obviously with a win this weekend I feel like a title shot would be ideal.
“But if not, somebody like Rakhmonov.
“Outside the champion, he’s the toughest fight in the division.
“I feel like if I beat Rakhmonov, nobody can deny me a shot at that title.
“That would be prospect versus prospect, with the winner then getting a title shot.”
The Aussie said he had also heard the Perth whispers, and wants onto that card no matter the result in Miami this Sunday.
“But if everything goes right in this fight,” he grinned, “yeah, it sets things up quite nicely.
“I want to be on that Perth show.”
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In a separate interview with Main Event’s Niko Pajarillo this week, ‘Della’ also took aim at two more of the welterweight division’s biggest names — Covington and Garry.
Prior to Covington’s most recent title loss against Edwards at UFC 296, the fighter dubbed ‘Chaos’ said during media interviews he had never even heard of Australia’s rising star.
So as for the pair fighting later this year?
“Look, it would be a dream to fight Colby Covington,” JDM said.
“But as for it happening? I don’t think so, no.
“I think Colby will go fight someone else, have a terrible performance and then he’ll be gone.”
Retire?
“If he hasn’t already, after his next fight he will be retired, well and truly,” Maddalena continued.
“I think he’s got one more pay cheque in him then he’s gone.
“I don’t think he has the heart that he used to have.
“And I don’t think he is anywhere near as good as he used to be.
“(In the Edwards fight) he was exposed.”
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When it comes to Garry however, the West Australian is far more confident of a future showdown.
“I definitely think our paths will cross,” he said. “And I look forward to it.
“Ian is a pretty good fighter.
“Has talked a lot s … though, so doesn’t want to get knocked out and plays it very safe.
“But he’s a good fighter.”
Thoughts on all the noise around him?
“Man, Ian Garry is the epitome of somebody who dishes it out but can’t take it,” Maddalena said. “That’s my thoughts.
“He’s the first person to dish it out, but then when it comes back on him he gets emotional. Can’t take it.
“And I don’t really want to get into it too much.
“Don’t really care, either.
“But he talked a lot about Neil Magny’s family and then when it came back on his family he got upset.
“That’s a strange attitude to have. But whatever.
“In terms of fighting, good fighter.
“In his last fight (against Geoff Neal, UFC 298) not much happened.
“He deserved to win, but I feel like he could’ve pulled the trigger.
“If he’d pulled the trigger he would’ve got the finish.”
So as for how the two of you shape up?
“I think I could hit Ian,” Maddalena added simply. “Hit him pretty hard.
“When we fight I think I’ll finish him.”
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And as for the incredible challenge that is Burns this Sunday?
“As soon as I got offered the fight with Gilbert I was in,” he said.
“It’s a challenging fight, and he’s a legend of the sport.
“I actually wish I had this fight earlier.
“I’ve been wanting to fight Gilbert for a long time.
“And I’m excited for it.
“It’s a big challenge.”
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