MMA fighter Jack Della Maddalena kept his undefeated record in the UFC intact by winning a split decision against Bassil Hafez in a challenging match at UFC Vegas 77, despite facing criticism for his strategy during the fight and managing to stop 17 out of 20 takedown attempts.
Jack Della Maddalena had a challenging fight as he took on Bassil Hafez in an unexpected Fight of the Night at UFC Vegas 77. Despite being the favourite on the card, Della Maddalena had to fight hard to emerge with a split decision and maintain his undefeatable UFC record. His victory came after enduring three rounds for the first time since he joined the roster. The fight proved to be tougher than anticipated, with Hafez looking to impress after securing a shot in the UFC by accepting this challenging bout.
Reflecting on his performance, Della Maddalena believed it wasn’t his best but acknowledged it as a ‘lot of fun’. He referred to the gruelling three weeks leading up to the fight and the tough challenge he faced. He remained unfazed by the task at hand, acknowledging that a fighter stepping in on a week’s notice was certain to be formidable. Though he noted areas for improvement, he reminded that learning and growth are what the game is all about.
Della Maddalena, celebrated as a future contender in the welterweight division, was expected to dominate Hafez, who accepted the fight on just five days’ notice. However, the tables turned as Hafez scored several takedowns and persistently gave Della Maddalena a hard time. Della Maddalena also made some questionable decisions, such as attempting a guillotine choke multiple times. These actions drew criticism and seemed to expose a potential weakness in his grappling, even though he stopped 17 out of 20 takedown attempts. Despite this, Della Maddalena remained unfazed, asserting his readiness to face any fight.
Following the fight, Della Maddalena is looking forward to his next assignment hoping for an opportunity to compete at home with UFC 293 scheduled in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 9. He has no qualms about whom he would be paired with, but would love an opportunity to face the originally intended contender, Sean Brady. Brady, who had to drop out previously due to injury, seems like an exciting prospect for Della Maddalena. As he returns home, Della Maddalena is eager to get back in the gym and prepare for the next challenge.