Jack Della Maddalena’s grappling skills are turning heads as he prepares for his upcoming title fight against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in Montreal.
The Australian welterweight contender, currently ranked #5 in the division, has been perfect since joining the UFC roster in 2021 after impressing on Dana White’s Contender Series. His most recent victory came against former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 299, where he secured an impressive late stoppage.
While Della Maddalena has primarily earned recognition for his striking prowess, a recent training video posted on Craig Jones’ Instagram showcases another dimension to his game. In the footage, Della Maddalena applies a choke that renders the renowned Australian grappling star unconscious during a training session.
This display of submission skills isn’t entirely surprising for those following Della Maddalena’s career closely. The 28-year-old has submission victories in his background, winning his lone amateur bout via armbar in 2015 and securing a rear-naked choke victory during a one-off appearance for Cage Warriors in 2017. His submission capabilities were also on display in the UFC when he defeated Randy Brown with a rear-naked choke at UFC 284, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
With #2-ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov sidelined from his previously scheduled title challenge, Della Maddalena has stepped in to face Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315. The title shot represents the biggest opportunity of his career to date.
Della Maddalena will likely need every tool at his disposal against Muhammad, who hasn’t tasted defeat since 2019 and hasn’t been finished since his 2016 bout against Vicente Luque. As the welterweight championship showdown approaches, this glimpse of Della Maddalena’s grappling acumen suggests he’s preparing a well-rounded attack for his title challenge.
