Australia has waited two years for a homegrown star to take revenge against UFC beast Islam Makhachev — and the day has finally arrived.
Aussie Jack Della Maddalena will have the country cheering him on in the first title defence of his career.
The 29-year-old from Perth takes on Makhachev at New York’s Madison Square Garden as the Russian pound-for-pound king makes the move up to welterweight after four successful defences at lightweight.
UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev | SUN 16 NOV 2PM AEDT | Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena puts his welterweight title on the line against Pound for Pound great and former lightweight champ Islam Makhachev | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Two of those were against fellow Aussie Alexander Volkanovski, who was unlucky not to win in Perth 2023 before getting brutally knocked out by Makhachev in the pair’s rematch which he took on just 11 days notice.
Maddalena is on an 18-fight MMA winning streak, while Makhachev hasn’t lost a fight in 10 years, as he aims to join the exclusive club of UFC fighters to be crowned champion in multiple divisions.
It has been a dramatic build up to Sunday’s blockbuster card, which also features Valentina Shevchenko’s title fight with Weili Zhang – who is also moving up a weight class.
Maddalena was booed by the New York crowd during the weigh-ins — but he will have plenty of support when he steps into the Octagon.
The early prelims kick off at 10am AEDT, before the main card begins at 2pm.
We will cover each fight and everything in between in news.com.au’s live blog right here.
