In an electrifying showdown at UFC 315, Israel Adesanya expressed his excitement as Jack Della Maddalena became the newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion. The former UFC middleweight champion witnessed the rise of another Oceanic titleholder as Maddalena dethroned Belal Muhammad in a thrilling main event held in Montreal.
The fight was an instant classic, captivating fans and analysts alike as Maddalena and Muhammad delivered an intense firefight. Despite facing some late challenges from Muhammad, Maddalena showcased his skills and determination, ultimately winning by unanimous decision. This victory not only marked a significant milestone in Maddalena's career but also kept him unbeaten in the UFC, setting the stage for a potential super fight for his first title defense.
After the fight, Israel Adesanya was visibly hyped, celebrating Maddalena’s achievement on his social media platforms. Maddalena's victory made him the second Australian fighter to capture a UFC world title in 2025, following Alexander Volkanovski, who reclaimed the UFC featherweight championship just weeks prior at UFC 314. Volkanovski had secured the featherweight belt by defeating Diego Lopes for the then-vacant title.
Jack Della Maddalena's journey to the championship was remarkable, especially after overcoming a long injury hiatus. His win at UFC 315 not only ended Muhammad’s impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak but also highlighted Maddalena's resilience and skill, which included notable victories over fighters like Gilbert Burns and Stephen Thompson.
In a passionate post-fight interview, Adesanya remarked, “I love it when one of us does it and gets the gold, the pinnacle of the sport, and couldn’t’ve happened to a nicer guy.” He emphasized that Maddalena earned this victory through hard work and dedication, stating, “Well-deserved and well-earned, guy, he did this the hard yards just through his hands.” Adesanya's enthusiasm was palpable as he looked forward to what lies ahead for Maddalena.
Fans can catch Adesanya’s full live reaction to Maddalena’s victory on his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, where he shared his excitement alongside fellow champion Volkanovski, who also posted a spirited reaction to Maddalena's performance.
With the UFC welterweight championship now around his waist, Jack Della Maddalena has his sights set on a high-profile showdown with the UFC’s pound-for-pound king, Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is expected to move up to welterweight for his next fight, hinting at a possible clash with Maddalena. The newly crowned champion promised to “get revenge” for Volkanovski against Makhachev, eliciting a measured response from the lightweight titleholder.
Makhachev has made it clear that he has no intention of vacating his lightweight belt, leaving the door open for a potential interim championship fight at UFC 317, likely featuring Ilia Topuria. Additionally, former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is a strong contender for Topuria’s opponent at UFC 317.
Looking ahead, Maddalena is aiming for a title defense in Perth later this year, potentially against Makhachev. His championship win adds to an exciting year for the UFC, and fans are eager to see what the future holds for this rising star.
The momentum generated by Maddalena's victory at UFC 315 has set the stage for thrilling matchups in the welterweight division, reinforcing the growing prominence of Oceanic fighters in the UFC landscape.
