- Jack Della Maddalena stops Gilbert Burns at UFC 299
- Aussie shot opponent with a knee in the third round
- Della Maddalena wants the next fight to eliminate the title
Australian Jack Della Maddalena has risen into the top five of the welterweight division with an impressive victory over former title contender Gilbert Burns.
The Next Big Thing of Australian combat sports, 27-year-old Della Maddalena picked up the biggest win of his career on Sunday at UFC 299 in Florida.
It was a hard-fought fight until Della Maddalena blasted his Brazilian opponent with a knee to block a takedown attempt during the third round.
The knee hit Burns flush and wobbled him, with the West Aussie jumping on top to end the fight with elbows and punches.
“Jack Della Maddalena is definitely on his way to the championship and stuns the masses of Miami,” John Anik said on commentary.
The West Aussie star has rocketed towards title glory with another huge win
“It feels good,” Della Maddalena said afterwards.
“My plan was to come here, take the money and run. I knew I had hurt him. He is the man. There are some scary people in this division, but I’m the scariest king.
Della Maddalena called up undefeated welterweight boogeyman Shavkat Rakhmonov after the fight, hoping they could get into a title eliminator with the winner facing champion Leon Edwards.
“Shavkat Rakhmonov,” Della Maddalena shouted.
“I think you and I would make a great title eliminator.”
Della Maddalena said during the week he heard whispers that a Perth card would be announced in August or September and he would like to appear in it.
“I feel that if I beat Rakhmonov, no one can deny me a shot at that title,” he told News Corp.
“That would be prospect versus prospect, with the winner getting a title shot.”
Della Maddalena called out undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov after the fight
The Australian indicated he would also like to fight Colby Convington or Ian Garry, two of the biggest names in the division.
“Look, it would be a dream to fight Colby Covington,” he said.
‘But what happens? I don’t think so, no.
“I think Colby is going to fight someone else, put in a terrible performance and then he’ll be gone.”