Jack Della Maddalena Bio
Giacomo “Jack” Della Maddalena is an Australian professional mixed martial artist born on September 10, 1996, in Perth, Western Australia. Known by his initials JDM, he competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he has made a significant impact. Since beginning his professional career in 2016, Della Maddalena has compiled an impressive record of 18 wins and 3 losses, establishing himself as a top contender in the sport.
Early Life and Background
Giacomo Della Maddalena was born into a family of Australian and Italian descent, with one of his grandfathers hailing from Sardinia. He grew up in Perth, Western Australia, and attended Aquinas College in Perth as well as St. Kevin’s College in Melbourne. From a young age, he was active in sports, particularly rugby, which he played from the age of eight and represented his school teams through year twelve.
Influenced by his older brother Josh, Della Maddalena began training in boxing at age fourteen to improve his fitness for rugby. His passion for combat sports grew, and after his rugby career ended, he transitioned fully into mixed martial arts training. This early foundation in multiple disciplines helped shape his versatile fighting style.
Path to MMA
Della Maddalena made his professional MMA debut in March 2016. Despite losing his first two fights, he demonstrated resilience by embarking on a nine-fight winning streak, during which he captured and defended the Eternal Welterweight Championship four times. His performances caught the attention of UFC scouts, leading to an invitation to Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, where he secured a UFC contract with a unanimous decision victory.
Since joining the UFC, Della Maddalena has competed exclusively in the welterweight division, quickly rising through the ranks with a series of impressive wins. His development was supported by training at Scrappy MMA, where he honed his skills and strategy under experienced coaches.
Jack Della Maddalena Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Della Maddalena’s professional career began with challenges, losing his first two bouts. However, he rebounded strongly by winning nine consecutive fights, showcasing his striking and grappling abilities. During this period, he earned the Eternal Welterweight Championship and successfully defended it four times, marking himself as a dominant force in the regional MMA scene.
His performances on the regional circuit culminated in an invitation to Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. There, he defeated Ange Loosa by unanimous decision, earning a contract with the UFC and marking a significant step in his professional journey.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2022–Present)
Della Maddalena made his UFC debut in January 2022 at UFC 270, defeating Pete Rodriguez by first-round technical knockout. He continued his momentum with first-round TKO victories over Ramazan Emeev and Danny Roberts, earning Performance of the Night bonuses for both fights. His aggressive style and finishing ability quickly made him a fan favorite.
In February 2023, he secured a first-round submission win against Randy Brown, adding to his highlight reel and earning another Performance of the Night award. Despite a bout cancellation in July 2023 due to opponent health issues, he returned to win a split decision against Bassil Hafez, earning Fight of the Night honors. He followed this with a split decision victory over Kevin Holland in September 2023, where all media scorecards favored him.
In March 2024, Della Maddalena defeated Gilbert Burns by third-round technical knockout at UFC 299, earning yet another Performance of the Night award. His rise culminated in winning the UFC Welterweight Championship in May 2025 by unanimous decision against Belal Muhammad, a fight that also earned Fight of the Night honors. Later that year, he faced Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship but lost by unanimous decision.
Scrappy MMA Era (2016–Present)
Throughout his career, Della Maddalena has trained with Scrappy MMA in Perth, Western Australia. The team has been instrumental in developing his well-rounded fighting style, blending striking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques. His black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu complements his striking prowess, making him a versatile and dangerous competitor in the welterweight division.
Driving Style and Strengths
Della Maddalena is known for his aggressive striking and strong grappling skills. His ability to finish fights both standing and on the ground reflects his balanced approach. He excels in pressure fighting and uses his reach effectively to control distance. His training under Scrappy MMA has enhanced his strategic fight planning and adaptability in the octagon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Della Maddalena’s career include his nine-fight winning streak early on, earning a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series, multiple Performance of the Night awards, and capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2025. His fight against Belal Muhammad was a defining moment, showcasing his skill and determination at the highest level.
Jack Della Maddalena Career Wins
Jack Della Maddalena has accumulated 18 wins out of 21 professional fights, with victories coming via knockout, submission, and decision. His record reflects his versatility and finishing ability across multiple levels of competition, including regional championships and the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2022, Della Maddalena has secured multiple first-round finishes and earned several Performance of the Night bonuses. His first UFC win was a TKO over Pete Rodriguez, and his most notable victory was capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2025. He has also earned Fight of the Night honors, highlighting his exciting fighting style.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Della Maddalena dominated the regional MMA scene, winning the Eternal Welterweight Championship and defending it four times. His nine-fight winning streak on the regional circuit laid the foundation for his successful transition to the global stage.
Jack Della Maddalena Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Della Maddalena comes from a family with Australian and Italian roots, including a grandfather from Sardinia. While there is no public information about a family history in combat sports, his older brother Josh influenced his early interest in boxing, which contributed to his MMA career.
Personal Life
Jack Della Maddalena resides in Perth, Western Australia. Details about his marital status or children are not publicly available. He is known to support the Australian national rugby union team and the Fremantle Dockers in the Australian Football League.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a breakthrough year for Della Maddalena. He captured the UFC Welterweight Championship by defeating Belal Muhammad in May, a fight that earned Fight of the Night honors. Later in the year, he challenged Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship but was defeated by unanimous decision. Throughout the season, he demonstrated resilience and skill, maintaining his status as a top welterweight contender. His team at Scrappy MMA continued to support his development, focusing on refining his strategy and conditioning for future title defenses and challenges.