Jack Della Maddalena has reflected on his UFC 322 loss to Islam Makhachev, admitting he was outclassed on the night.
Della Maddalena was unsuccessful in defending his UFC welterweight title last November against Makhachev, losing by unanimous decision.
The Australian was put to the test right from the first round, with Makhachev dominating him on the floor and landing four takedowns over the course of the fight.
But four months on from the defeat, Della Maddalena believes the weight of devastation has helped make him a better fighter.
“Yeah, it was obviously devastating. Wasn’t able to put on the performance I wanted to. Islam was the better man on the night, no doubt,” he told The Sporting News.
“There was times where I should’ve been more aggressive… I feel like I have grown since that defeat.”
The 29-year-old also admitted that mentally he wasn’t in the right mindset to take down the Russian.
“I think I just went into the fight originally too emotional, too aggressive,” he added.
“And then that aggression just led me to be sort of stuck in front of him, and not be able to perform at my best. But take nothing away from Islam he was definitely the better man on the night.”
Della Maddalena’s road back to a rematch with Makhachev will first have to go through Brazilian fighter Carlos Prates.
The two are scheduled to compete on May 2 later this year at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.