LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Jack Della Maddalena still wants his original UFC 290 opponent.
Maddalena defeated a very game and dangerous Bassil Hafez at UFC Vegas 77 last night (Sat., Jul7 15, 2023) via split decision inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both men picked up a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus for their short-notice slugfest.
While it was a close competitive fight, the Australian believes he won because of damage.
“I thought [I won] — I thought I landed the bigger shots," Maddalena told MMAMania.com during UFC Vegas 77’s post-fight press conference. "You never know; like when I heard the split decision, I thought it can go either way because the judges are always all over the place.
“But, I felt like I landed the bigger shots, and he was shooting pretty desperately,” Maddalena continued. “I feel like, on top; he didn't do a whole lot of damage. So I'll look back on it and see, but I'm glad to get the hand raised, and I'm happy for him, you know, a big opportunity, and he delivered."
As for what is next, Maddalena wants to be rebooked opposite top-ranked Welterweight contender, Sean Brady, who he was scheduled to fight at UFC 290 last weekend.
"I was hoping this could just be a hurdle, and we can get back into the Sean Brady fight, but I want to find Sydney, so I don't think he likes traveling too much,” Maddalena said on ESPN’s post-UFC show. “I don't think he'll make the trip, but we'll see what happens. I want to fight in Sydney."
The 26-year-old added that it doesn't have to be Brady — he will literally fight anyone as long as he is featured on UFC 293, a pay-per-view (PPV) event planned for Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 9, 2023. The frontrunner to headline the show “Down Under” is Middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya, settling his beet with Dricus Du Plessis.
Maddalena is currently on a 15-fight win streak, with five of those wins coming in UFC.
For complete UFC Vegas 77 results, highlights and overall coverage click HERE.
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