Jack Della Maddalena Open to Fighting Mike Malott in 2027

Former UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena has expressed interest in fighting rising Canadian contender Mike Malott, who is currently riding a five-fight winning streak. The Australian welcomed the possibility of facing Malott when asked about the potential matchup, although he has not committed to a specific date or event.

Malott has attracted attention with a series of impressive performances and is now targeting a major opponent as he looks to move closer to the top of the welterweight division. His recent second-round knockout victory over Joaquin Buckley has strengthened his case for a high-profile fight.

Della Maddalena, meanwhile, is taking a more measured approach to his return after suffering consecutive defeats against Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates. Although he is interested in facing Malott, the former champion wants to spend time improving his skills before stepping back into the Octagon.

Jack Della Maddalena welcomes potential fight against Mike Malott

The possibility of a matchup between Della Maddalena and Malott has generated discussion following the Canadian’s recent run of victories. Asked directly whether he would accept the fight, the Australian made his interest clear during an interview with Bedtime MMA.

“Yeah for sure, for sure. I would be into that.”

His response indicates that he is open to sharing the Octagon with Malott. However, agreeing to a potential opponent does not mean that a fight has been officially scheduled or that both sides have finalised the details.

Della Maddalena’s name has been linked with the possibility of appearing on another UFC event in Canada, but there is currently no confirmed date for his next fight. The Australian is also keen to avoid rushing into another contest before he feels fully prepared.

Della Maddalena targets April or May return after UFC Perth defeat

Della Maddalena’s most recent appearance ended in disappointment at UFC Perth in May 2026. Fighting in front of his home crowd, the former champion suffered a third-round TKO defeat against Carlos Prates.

Looking back on that contest, the Australian explained that he felt he had moved into the fight too quickly because of the circumstances surrounding the event. He does not want to repeat that approach when deciding on his next opponent or appearance.

“I feel like the last one, I sort of just jumped into the Perth fight because I kinda had to. So I didn’t wanna get sucked in too early. My plan after the last fight was develop the skills, become a better martial artist. So I didn’t wanna just jump to the location, you know?”

The former champion wants his next performance to reflect the improvements he has made during his time away from competition. Rather than accepting a fight simply because an event or location becomes available, he intends to focus on preparation and development.

He also explained that he wants to deliver a strong performance for the people supporting him, including his team and the fans who follow his career.

“I wanted to give the best performance for the fans, for the team. So just gonna ride it out a bit, but ready to go April, May next year.”

That suggests Della Maddalena is targeting a return around April or May 2027. While the timeline gives an indication of his plans, it does not confirm a fight against Malott or any other opponent.

Mike Malott strengthens his position with five-fight winning streak

Mike Malott has earned increased attention through a five-fight winning streak in the UFC. The Canadian’s latest victory came against Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Edmonton on October 17, when he secured a second-round knockout with a knee.

The finish was another significant result for Malott, who has been building momentum in the welterweight division. His recent performances have helped establish him as a contender seeking a major step up in competition.

At 34, Malott is now looking for a top-10 opponent as he attempts to strengthen his position among the division’s leading fighters. He has also expressed interest in competing on the UFC’s planned Toronto card, making a matchup with an established former champion an appealing possibility.

Della Maddalena would represent a notable test for the Canadian. Despite his recent setbacks, the Australian has competed at the highest level and previously held the UFC welterweight championship.

Jack Della Maddalena’s rise to the UFC welterweight title

Della Maddalena reached the top of the welterweight division in May 2025 when he defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 to become champion. The victory was a major achievement in his career and raised expectations about what he could accomplish with the title.

His striking ability, combination punching and pressure had helped him establish himself as one of the division’s leading contenders. Winning the championship appeared to place him in a strong position to build a lengthy title reign.

However, his first title defence brought a difficult challenge against Islam Makhachev. The two fighters met in November 2025, with Makhachev using his wrestling and control to secure a unanimous decision victory over five rounds.

Della Maddalena struggled to deal with Makhachev’s grappling pressure and was unable to retain the belt. The defeat ended his championship reign in his first defence, forcing him to reassess his approach after reaching the top of the division.

Back-to-back defeats create a new challenge for the former champion

The setback against Makhachev was followed by another difficult night against Carlos Prates at UFC Perth in May 2026. Prates stopped the Australian by third-round TKO, handing him a second consecutive defeat.

For a fighter who had recently held the welterweight championship, the results represented a significant change in circumstances. Della Maddalena now faces the challenge of rebuilding momentum and demonstrating that he can compete with the division’s leading names.

A potential fight against Malott would bring a different type of test. The Canadian has been improving through his recent winning run and would enter the matchup with confidence after his knockout of Buckley.

Della Maddalena would need to be prepared for Malott’s strengths while also addressing the areas exposed in his previous performances. His decision to spend time developing his skills suggests that he understands the importance of making adjustments before returning to competition.

Could Jack Della Maddalena vs Mike Malott happen in 2027?

The possibility of Della Maddalena facing Malott remains an interesting option for the UFC welterweight division. Malott wants a top-10 opponent, while the former champion has already indicated that he would be interested in the matchup.

The Canadian’s preference for appearing on a Toronto event could provide a potential setting, particularly if the UFC looks to book a high-profile welterweight contest for the card. However, no official announcement has confirmed that the fight will take place there.

Della Maddalena’s stated return target of April or May 2027 also gives the UFC a possible timeframe to consider. The Australian is prepared to wait until he feels ready rather than accepting another contest prematurely.

For Malott, a fight against a former champion would offer an opportunity to make a major statement and move closer to the division’s elite. For Della Maddalena, it could be a chance to rebuild his standing after losing the title and suffering another defeat.

Della Maddalena focuses on improvement before returning to the Octagon

Della Maddalena’s willingness to fight Malott shows that he remains interested in challenging himself against dangerous opponents. However, his comments also make clear that the timing of his return is just as important as the identity of his next rival.

After experiencing two consecutive losses, the Australian wants to become a more complete martial artist and deliver a performance that meets his own expectations. His target of returning around April or May 2027 gives him additional time to work on those improvements.

Malott’s five-fight winning streak has made him an increasingly relevant name in the welterweight division, and his latest knockout victory has strengthened his push for a top-10 opponent. Whether the UFC ultimately matches him with Della Maddalena remains to be seen.

For now, the former champion has given the potential matchup a clear green light. The next step will depend on the UFC’s plans, the fighters’ schedules and whether both sides can agree on the timing of a contest.