You’ve probably seen the name butchered a thousand times. De la Magdalena. Dela Maddalena. JDM. Whatever you want to call him, the reality is that Jack Della Maddalena has become the most terrifying out in the UFC’s 170-pound division. It’s kinda wild how fast things move in this sport. One minute you're the undefeated surging prospect, the next you're the world champion, and then—bam—you’re the guy everyone is chasing after a razor-thin loss to a generational talent.
Honestly, the "De La Magdalena UFC" search spike usually comes from people trying to figure out how a guy who started his career 0-2 ended up wearing gold around his waist. It’s a legitimate movie script. Jack isn't your typical "I've been wrestling since I was four" type of fighter. He’s a Perth kid who just happened to have hands like absolute bricks and a chin that seems to be made of reinforced concrete.
The Rise, the Gold, and the Makhachev War
Let’s get the facts straight because the last year has been a total whirlwind for the welterweight division.
Jack Della Maddalena reached the mountaintop at UFC 315 in May 2025. He stepped into Montreal and did what many thought was impossible: he outworked Belal Muhammad over five rounds. It wasn't a fluke. It wasn't a lucky punch. He just flat-out beat the man at his own game, taking a unanimous decision and bringing the belt back to Australia.
But being the champ at welterweight is basically like living with a target on your back in a room full of snipers.
Then came UFC 322 in November 2025. Madison Square Garden.
Jack faced Islam Makhachev, who was moving up to chase that elusive "double champ" status. It was a tactical chess match that turned into a physical grind. Jack showed the world that his grappling—once considered his "weakness"—was actually elite. He stuffed takedowns that would have buried most fighters. He landed shots that made Islam look human for the first time in years.
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In the end, the judges gave it to Makhachev. A unanimous decision. Jack lost the belt, but he didn't lose his stock. If anything, the way he pushed the pound-for-pound king to the brink made him more of a "bogeyman" than he was when he had the strap.
Why Everyone is Getting the Name Wrong
It’s funny, isn't it? "De la Magdalena" sounds like a name from a high-stakes poker game or a classic novel. But in the UFC, it’s just Jack. Giacomo Della Maddalena.
The confusion often stems from his Italian heritage. His grandfather is from Sardinia, and that "Della" prefix trips people up. You’ll see fans on Reddit or X (formerly Twitter) arguing about the spelling while Jack is busy in the gym hitting pads.
The name doesn't matter as much as the numbers:
- 18 wins, 3 losses.
- 12 knockouts.
- 8 first-round finishes.
- Former Eternal MMA Champion.
He’s a "Fighting Nerd" in spirit, even if he’s not officially part of that specific Brazilian clique. He’s cerebral. He’s quiet. He doesn't do the "trash talk for the sake of a paycheck" thing. He just shows up and breaks faces.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jack's Style
People look at Jack and see a boxer. It's an easy mistake to make because his jab is arguably the best in the UFC right now. It’s stiff, it’s frequent, and it’s annoying.
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But he's not just a boxer.
If you go back to the Gilbert Burns fight at UFC 299, you saw the "new" Jack. He was down on the cards. His arm was literally broken. Most guys would have looked for a way out or coasted to a respectable decision loss. Instead, Jack timed a knee that would have decapitated a horse and followed it up with ground-and-pound elbows that ended the night.
That’s the difference. He has that "dog" in him that you can't teach in a fancy MMA camp. He’s a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ben Vickers, which he proved against Randy Brown when he snatched a rear-naked choke out of thin air. He's a complete mixed martial artist who just happens to prefer punching you in the mouth.
The Future: Carlos Prates and the Road Back to Gold
So, where do we go from here?
The rumor mill is spinning fast, and all signs point to UFC 327 in Miami this April. The opponent? Carlos "The Nightmare" Prates.
This is a dangerous, spicy, terrifying fight. Prates is on a tear. He just knocked out Leon Edwards. He’s calling for the belt. He thinks Jack is the "easiest" path back to a title shot because Jack likes to stand and trade.
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Prates is wrong.
Jack isn't just a brawler; he's a counter-striker with elite spatial awareness. If the UFC 327 booking holds up, it’s essentially a title eliminator. The winner gets a crack at Makhachev (or whoever holds the belt by then).
How Jack Wins the Rematch
- Pressure Management: Jack has to stay in the face of guys like Prates. You can't give a sniper time to breathe.
- The Body Work: Jack’s left hook to the liver is a thing of beauty. It’s what broke guys like Ramazan Emeev and Danny Roberts.
- Wrestling Defense: We saw it against Islam. Jack can't be held down anymore. If he keeps it standing, he wins 90% of his matchups.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the career of Jack Della Maddalena, stop looking for "De la Magdalena." You’re looking for a guy who is currently the #1 ranked contender for a reason.
Watch the tape on his UFC 270 debut. He fought Pete Rodriguez on short notice and looked like he was sparring in his garage. That’s the baseline. He hasn't slowed down since.
Keep an eye on the injury reports. The broken arm from the Burns fight was a major setback. While he looked healthy against Belal and Islam, the long-term effects of those kinds of injuries in a high-impact sport are real.
Don't bet against his chin. He’s been hit by some of the hardest punchers in the division—Kevin Holland, Randy Brown, Gilbert Burns—and he hasn't even looked wobbled.
The path back to the championship is clear. It goes through Miami. It goes through the heavy hitters. And honestly? It probably ends with a rematch against Islam Makhachev that the world is already dying to see.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official UFC 327 announcements. If the Prates fight is confirmed, expect the odds to be much closer than people think. Jack thrives as the underdog, and that’s exactly where he finds himself again. Just remember the name: it's Della Maddalena. And he's coming for his belt.