Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has publicly endorsed reigning welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena in his forthcoming superfight against lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 in November, citing Della Maddalena’s underappreciated jiu-jitsu as the potential deciding factor.
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Della Maddalena earned the UFC welterweight crown with a unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 and subsequently was promoted to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt by coach Ben Vickers on March 26, 2024. Beyond his celebrated striking, Della Maddalena refined his ground game working alongside specialist Craig Jones, even submitting Jones with a D’Arce choke during camp footage in April 2025, emphasising his advancing submission arsenal.