MMA news: Ex-UFC champ Michael Bisping reveals one positive Jack Della Maddalena can take from loss to Islam Makhachev
Jack Della Maddalena’s brief reign as welterweight champion came to an end at UFC 322 after he was handily beaten by Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev successfully captured a title in another weight class after vacating his lightweight strap earlier this year to further cement himself as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
Despite appearing to be a 50/50 fight on paper, the Russian dominated the fight with his superior grappling, limiting Della Maddalena to just 30 strikes in the process as Makhachev won all five rounds on every judge's scorecard.
Despite the Australian having limited success during the contest, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping reveals the one positive Della Maddalena can take away from his performance this past weekend.
Sports News Blitz’s Niall Togher reacts to Bisping’s comments on Della Maddalena’s potential return to form after his UFC 322 loss.
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Michael Bisping praises Della Maddalena for not quitting despite looking ‘miserable’
At just 29, there is undoubtedly time for Della Maddalena to regain his belt before he calls time on his career.
With that being said, the skilled striker will need to put together an impressive win streak to convince Dana White and Co. to give him another title shot after his underwhelming display.
Whilst there were few positives to take away from the fight in which Della Maddalena lost in such dominant fashion, Bisping offered some words of encouragement to the now former champion.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping said: “He looked miserable.
“He looked like he couldn’t wait for this fight to end, and I’m not saying that to insult Jack, far from it.
“In fact, I’m saying the opposite. He could’ve taken the easy way out several times. Islam was trying to finish him.”
It was not just Bisping who noticed the evident discomfort on the face of Della Maddalena during the fight, with fans speculating online whether the Australian sustained an injury during the bout.
Della Maddalena has to prove UFC 322 loss was a bad night at the office
When Della Maddalena won the title against Belal Muhammad back in May, he proved he is more than capable of dealing with fighters who want to take him down.
Whilst Makhachev’s grappling is evidently a level up from what he has faced up to this point, it would serve Della Maddalena well to fight a wrestler in his next fight so he can showcase that his loss at UFC 322 was simply a bad night at the office.
With the former champion being the best boxer at 170 pounds, he will have to get used to people trying to take him down if he wants to remain in the upper echelons of the division.
Sean Brady would be an ideal next opponent for the Australian, with Brady himself also losing on the undercard of UFC 322.
A fight between Brady and Della Maddalena in the first quarter of 2026 would be an ideal opportunity for either man to reinsert himself into the title picture at welterweight after getting back to winning ways.
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