Jack Della Maddalena gets new opponent for upcoming UFC Fight Night

Jack Della Maddalena is undoubtedly one of the fastest-rising welterweight prospects in the UFC. The Australian faced a series of unfortunate events that caused two canceled fights that prevented him from competing at UFC 290 last weekend. However, lady luck finally smiled on Della Maddalena, and the promotion has booked him a fight for UFC Vegas 77 this weekend. 

While Della Maddalena was initially slated to face Sean Brady at UFC 290, Brady was forced to pull out due to a nasty strep infection in his elbow. His second opponent, Josiah Harrell, was also pulled out of their bout after a pre-fight MRI revealed a previously undiagnosed brain condition. 

Despite losing two opponents, Jack Della Maddalena chose to stay back in Las Vegas. His decision paid off, and the UFC has booked promotional newcomer Bassil Hafez at UFC Vegas 77 this weekend. MMA journalist Marcel Dorff confirmed the news via Twitter:

“Jack Della Maddalena will fight Bassil Hafez at #UFCVegas77 on July 15th. (first rep @arielhelwani).”

Fighting out of Colorado, Hafez made his professional debut in January 2016. He has a record of 8-3. He will be the third opponent booked for Della Maddalena in a span of eight days. 

Jack Della Maddalena on why he didn’t fight Kevin Holland at UFC 290 

It seems the UFC wasn’t keen on Jack Della Maddalena fighting Kevin Holland at UFC 290. 

When it came to light that Della Maddalena lost his major numbered event fight last weekend, several top-ranked contenders like Chris Curtis and Kevin Holland offered to step in on short notice to face the Australian. However, none of those bouts came to fruition, confusing Della Maddalena and the fans. 

In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Jack Della Maddalena admitted that he was eager to take the Holland fight. Stating that he was only offered Josiah Harrell, he explained:

“They were names that were flying around and I was pretty keen… There was also Chris Curtis that was there, and it was never actually offered to me… I was excited for that fight. I think that would have been a cool fight.”

He continued:

“I did ask [my manager] Tim, ‘Is the Holland fight on?’ — and yeah, I don’t know, I think he had a fight booked so they weren’t into it. But I thought that was a realistic option, but it was just never actually passed on to me.”