Jack Della Maddalena has become the first UFC champion to ink a new contract under the company’s $7.7 billion broadcasting deal — a decision which will see him catapulted up among Australia’s highest paid fight stars.
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Fox Sports Australia can reveal 28-year-old ‘Della’ has signed a lucrative six-fight extension under the guidance of agent Tim Simpson, the same man who orchestrated Conor McGregor’s $45 million boxing crossover.
It comes as the new UFC welterweight champ now enters camp for one of the biggest first up title defences in Octagon history – a Madison Square Garden blockbuster with Islam Makhachev on November 16.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, JDM admitted to not only being “super happy” with the upgrade but ready to send Makhachev back to the UFC lightweight division in a headliner no less than Dana White has dubbed a “super fight”.
Currently on a tear of 18 straight wins, the West Australian has also responded to UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov branding him the toughest challenge of Makhachev’s own storied career.
Unthinkable only a year ago, Maddalena is now on the cusp of becoming Australia’s highest paid combat superstar – joining a list that includes the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Jai Opetaia and Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita.
The champ confirmed his new deal was struck by fellow Perth boy Simpson, who has himself risen up to become one of the UFC’s most influential agents thanks to a boutique stable — dubbed Chosen Advisory — which also boasts the likes of Israel Adesanya, Max Holloway, Leon Edwards and Jiri Prochazka.
During his previous employment with Paradigm Sports, Simpson also played a key role in signing McGregor for his 2017 boxing blockbuster against Floyd Mayweather.
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“So Tim is the man,” JDM said this week. “A genius.
“I’ve only just signed a new six-fight deal and couldn’t be happier.
“Initially, you get a figure in your head that you hope might be met, then you send Tim to the negotiating table … and we get it.
“So I’m super happy.
“I would be one of the first champions to sign under the new Paramount deal.
“Now it’s time to get the work done.”
As finally revealed by UFC boss Dana White last week, Maddalena is now set to join the small crew of Australians who have headlined the Garden including George Kambosos, Daniel Geale and ACDC.
And after taking the UFC crown from Belal Muhammad in May, Australia’s breakout star is now readying to score a New York boilover against Makhachev – aka, the UFC’s No.1 fighter pound-for-pound.
Before moving fulltime into preparations, JDM has spent a few days camping with his young family in Margaret River, his final break before diving into what will be a gruelling 10-week world title preparation.
Certainly, Las Vegas bookmakers are well aware of the challenges ahead, opening ‘Della’ as the betting underdog against Makhachev, who only recently vacated the lightweight strap to move up and conquer a second division.
Himself on a run of 15 straight wins, Makhachev has also finished 10 Octagon rivals, stopping the likes of Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira and Australia’s Volkanovski — who he beat in consecutive title fights.
Sportsbet also has Makhachev the $1.39 favourite, with Maddalena at $2.92.
Yet despite the odds, Makhachev’s legendary mentor, Nurmagomedov, has described the Australian as his protégé’s toughest challenge yet.
Jack Della Maddalena has signed a new deal. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)Source: Getty Images
Speaking recently, the UFC Hall of Famer branded JDM a tougher challenge for Makhachev than even the man who now holds his old UFC lightweight crown – Ilia Topuria.
“I think Maddalena is the toughest opponent in Islam’s career,” Nurmagomedov said.
“Not Charles (Oliveira), no one else.
“None of those other fighters.
“Not even Ilia, if that fight were to happen. That’s just my personal opinion”.
Pushed on his thoughts, Nurmagomedov continued: “First of all, Maddalena is twice the size of Ilia.
“Taller, bigger, stronger legs, bigger frame.
“His boxing is just as good and in grappling, he scrambles really well if you’ve watched him.
“For me, if I was preparing Islam for either Ilia or Maddalena, I’d be more concerned about Maddalena.”
To which the champ says what?
“It’s actually surreal,” Maddalena said this week.
“To have one of the greatest fighters ever not only mention my name, but now working to try and beat me … it’s crazy.
“But it also shows the challenge I have in front of me.
“And I’m not here to be a stepping stone for Islam Makhachev.
“I’m going to knock him back down to lightweight and continue my reign.”
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JDM quickly added however that he also expects a respectful build for what UFC boss Dana White has dubbed a November “super fight”.
“I have all respect for Islam because what he’s done is super impressive,” the champ said.
“I’ve got no issues, and got nothing bad to say.
“We just need to get in there and settle things.”
Better, Maddalena now looks to begin his new reign under a new deal that has him “extremely happy”.
Ironically, the revelation comes only months after the West Australian was caught up in a bizarre – and, ultimately, incorrect – fundraising story drama.
Prior to his huge title win over Muhammad at UFC 315, a story emerged suggesting JDM was fundraising at a Perth bar to try and ensure all his team would be able to also fly to Canada for the event.
Almost immediately, social media lit up with fans complaining that Australia’s rising star could be left strapped for cash.
However, the story was then quickly shot down by JDM and his team, who stressed the event had been incorrectly advertised as a fundraiser by the venue — and was instead one of countless paid promotions undertaken by athletes.
And now in recent days, the champ has secured a deal that is said to have put him up among fellow big earners like Volkanovski, Tim Tszyu and Opetaia.