Morning Report: Jack Della Maddalena's Next Move and the UFC's Future
The Battle for the Belt: Jack Della Maddalena's Post-Title Fight Plans
Jack Della Maddalena, the welterweight champion who recently lost his title, is ready to get back in the ring. In an interview with streamer N3ON, Della Maddalena expressed his desire to continue his title hunt, naming a few potential opponents.
"Nothing locked in. Just waiting," he said. "I don’t know. I would like to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov. I’ve always wanted to fight him, but whether that happens or not, I don’t know. … Otherwise, maybe Michael Morales or Carlos Prates, one of those guys."
Della Maddalena's interest in Rakhmonov is understandable, given the Russian's impressive MMA record and his original title shot against Belal Muhammad. However, Rakhmonov's long absence due to injury has left some questions about his title aspirations. Della Maddalena, however, is confident in his abilities and believes a fight with Rakhmonov would be a dream come true.
"That’s the fight," he said of Rakhmonov. "That’s a fight… That’d be the dream, getting a rematch with Makhachev one day. That’s why I want to fight Shavkat, because beating someone like him, you get thrown right back in there."
But the UFC's plans may differ. There are rumors that Della Maddalena could face Carlos Prates, who recently knocked out former champion Leon Edwards. Prates has also expressed interest in the fight, and Della Maddalena is more than willing to oblige.
"That would be a good fight," he told N3ON. "Let’s go. I’m in. He’s got good striking. I reckon I’d finish him. It would have to be a five-rounder, for sure. … That would be sick."
The UFC's Future: A New Era?
As the UFC continues to evolve, fans are left wondering what the future holds. With Tyson Fury's announced comeback in 2026 and Jake Paul's indefinite medical suspension after his loss to Anthony Joshua, the MMA world is abuzz with speculation. Joe Rogan's insights on Islam Makhachev's advantage over Khabib Nurmagomedov add to the intrigue.
Michael Bisping's warning to Tom Aspinall about rushing back from surgery and Valter Walker's secrets behind his heel hook submission also provide food for thought. Additionally, the BKFC's signing of a former WWE tag champ raises questions about the future of bare-knuckle boxing.
As the UFC drought continues, fans are left to speculate about the next big fight and the potential for a new era in the sport. What do you think? Who should Della Maddalena fight next? And what does the future hold for the UFC?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to follow MMAFighting on social media for the latest updates.
