Jack Della Maddalena


Giacomo "Jack" Della Maddalena, 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, where he is the former [List of UFC champions|UFC Welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight Champion]. As of 18 November 2025, he is #1 in the UFC welterweight rankings and as of 9 December 2025, he is #14 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.
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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 [Australia national rugby football|rugby sevens team|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.
Della Maddalena was invited to face Congolese mixed martial artist Ange Loosa on 14 September 2021 at Dana White's Contender Series 39, where he won the bout via unanimous decision and secured a UFC contract.

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.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts