Las Vegas, NV — Noche UFC co-headliner Jack Della Maddalena had his share of toxic MMA fans dragging him over his performance against Bassil Hafez back in July — and he’s giving them a pass.
Maddalena (15-2) went to the judges for the first time in his UFC career in the fight, claiming a narrow split decision victory over the little-known Hafez.
Returning at Noche UFC against Kevin Holland, Maddalena told media outlets including Cageside Press on Wednesday that when it comes to those critical of his performance, “I think it’s fair play. This is a sport for the fans, and I think they all have the right to their opinions. So it didn’t really bother me. I feel it wasn’t a good performance, so fair play.”
He’ll have the chance to shut those critics up this weekend, with Holland JDM’s highest-profile opponent to date. Though he’s not sure he can shut them up.
“It’s hard to shut them up. I think they’re always going to be talking. I don’t really mind, doesn’t really bother me. It’s just the way the sport is.”
As for his co-main event billing, “I’m excited,” admitted Maddalena. “It’s nice to get that slot on an event with a crowd. Haven’t fought at T-Mobile. So I look forward to it. It’s going to be a cool experience.”
Of course, Maddalena, one of the rising talents in the UFC’s welterweight division, had planned on fighting at home in Australia last weekend, with UFC 293 touching down at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
“I was planning on fighting in Sydney, it just didn’t work out,” Maddalena noted. “But yeah I was planning on turning around pretty quickly in the last fight, so it worked out in the end.”
Holland has been known for sparking rivalries with opponents and occasionally getting into altercations ahead of fights; on the flip side, the former middleweight can come off as easy going. That has JDM unsure of which Kevin Holland he’ll get this weekend.
“I don’t know what to expect. I don’t really care. I’m coming to fight, so whatever happens leading up to it happens. But there’s definitely going to be the time for fighting, so just waiting for that.”
Regardless, he knows what a win over the boisterous “Trailblazer” can do for his career. “I think a good win over Kevin Holland will get me into a nice spot to fight one of the top contenders.”
Watch the full Noche UFC media day appearance by Jack Della Maddalena above.
