Jack Della Maddalena is aiming to return to the win column this Saturday when he headlines UFC Perth against Carlos Prates, marking his first appearance since losing the UFC welterweight title last November.
The Australian contender was defeated by Islam Makhachev over five rounds at Madison Square Garden in a one-sided performance that cost him the belt at UFC 322. Speaking to reporters during this week’s media day, Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) reflected on the loss and what, if anything, he would have changed in preparation.
“Yeah, I don't think that I needed to,” he said when asked whether he reconsidered aspects of his training camp. “I think the camp was good. There wasn't anything that we needed to do different in the camp. I guess it just came down to the night, not being able to implement those sort of techniques to get back to the feet.”
He pointed instead to execution and mindset as key factors in the defeat.
“Maybe the mindset wasn't perfect in the fight, and I guess that's what it's about,” he continued. “I've always said anyone can win on any given night. I came up against one of the best and couldn't get my game plan going.”
Despite the setback, Della Maddalena views the loss as part of the sport rather than something that lingers long-term.
“Yeah, I mean, it's part of the game. Wins and losses, that's what this sport's about,” he said. “So, yeah, it haunted me for a few nights for sure. But I was always expected to fight some of the big challenges, obviously.”
Looking ahead, he acknowledged that a matchup with Prates (23-7 MMA, 6-1 UFC) had long felt inevitable, even if the circumstances are different now.
“Carlos (Prates) was someone I definitely thought I was going to fight at some point,” he said. “It would have been nice to be fighting him as the champion, but that's just not the way it turned out.”
