Perth's Jack Della Maddalena has been dethroned, with Dagestani wrestling phenom Islam Makhachev creating UFC history by claiming a unanimous decision victory to become the promotion's 11th double champion.
The iconic Madison Square Garden witnessed a masterclass in grappling on Sunday morning Australian Western Standard Time, as Makhachev (28-2) systematically outmanoeuvred the defending welterweight champion across five gruelling rounds.
Makhachev's Dominant Gameplan
Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight title to pursue this challenge, executed his strategy with precision from the opening bell. He showed no interest in a stand-up war with the heavy-handed Australian, instead opting to dismantle Della Maddalena with a relentless grappling assault.
A nasty leg kick early in the first round caused Della Maddalena to stumble, and within a minute, Makhachev had secured his first takedown. This set the pattern for the fight, with the Dagestani star controlling the champion on the ground for the majority of the contest.
Despite being consistently taken down, Della Maddalena (18-3) displayed immense heart and defensive skill, fending off numerous submission attempts to keep his hopes alive. He even managed to return to his feet on several occasions, proving his resilience against one of the sport's most dominant wrestlers.
Della Maddalena's Valiant Effort
The Perth fighter finally found some momentum in the third round, landing a sharp combination that hinted at the knockout power that has defined his career. However, just as he began to build confidence, Makhachev swiftly returned him to the canvas, extinguishing the threat.
Knowing he likely needed a finish in the championship rounds, Della Maddalena tried desperately to keep the fight standing in the fourth. He survived a particularly dangerous sequence where Makhachev took his back with over two minutes remaining, again showcasing his grit by escaping and returning to his feet in the final seconds.
The fifth round was a repeat of the previous four, with Makhachev immediately securing another takedown and maintaining control for almost the entire five minutes, securing a clean sweep on the judges' scorecards (50-45).
Historic Outcome and Future Implications
This victory marks a historic achievement for Makhachev, joining an elite group of fighters who have held UFC titles in two weight divisions simultaneously. For Della Maddalena, the defeat ends an incredible 18-fight winning streak that spanned more than a decade.
The Australian's inability to keep the fight in his preferred standing position ultimately proved decisive. While he defended bravely against the ground assault, he could not create the space needed to land the fight-ending blow that was always his clearest path to victory.
This result reshapes the landscape of the UFC's welterweight division and cements Makhachev's legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats, capable of conquering new weight classes with his dominant skill set.
