Jack Della Maddalena was riding high after his huge TKO win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 in March. The Australian welterweight set his sights on fighting in front of his home Perth crowd at UFC 305 in August. However, those dreams have halted due to the gruesome after-effects of a staph infection.
Maddalena recently went on Instagram to share details about his health. JDM revealed that he had surgery on his arm after the Gilbert Burns fight. He said that the arm was infected and had to get another surgery. As such, after the surgery and recovery, it appears he cannot fight in the upcoming PPV in Perth, Australia.
Had surgery on my arm 1 week after 299. 10 days later my wound had began splitting. Which was indicative of infection. Went in for surgery 2 as believed to be infection present, bone cleaned plate replaced…. Unfortunately this means I won’t be competing at UFC 305 in Perth. Which is a tough pill to swallow. At the moment I am focused on recovery.
Jack Della Maddalena via Instagram
The 27-year-old posted graphic photos on Instagram showing the infected arm. Unfortunately, the Perth native has been forced to withdraw from UFC 305 as he continues recovering from the stubborn infection. The Aussie fighter was interested in facing the undefeated Kazakh fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov. In a bold move, JDM called Rakhmonov out after the UFC 299 win.
This tantalizing bout will have to wait, or Rakhmonov might move on to face other fighters. The setback is disheartening but certainly not career-threatening for the talented 27-year-old. Jack Della Maddalena had strung together an impressive 8-fight win streak in the UFC. With a renewed focus on recovery, fight fans may see him compete again before 2024 is over.
Jack Della Maddalena fought Gilbert Burns while suffering from a staph infection
Jack Della Maddalena’s star-making performance against Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 was impressive. However, the win became even more impressive after the Australian welterweight revealed he was sick. The fighter and coach admitted battling a nasty staph infection in the lead-up to the biggest fight of his career.
Jack Della Maddalena fought while infected with Staph (via Sporting News)The 27-year-old’s coach dropped the bombshell on a recent podcast appearance. He then revealed that Maddalena was still limping just before the fight week. His coach, however, commended Maddalena’s toughness as he had no plans of pulling out.
Let’s be honest, you limped onto the plane with staph. He limped onto the plane on antibiotics the Wednesdays before fight week. We’ve got guys pulling out of fights two weeks out with staph… Jack was never going to pull out.
Jack Della Maddalena’s coach via Grin Reapers Podcast-Advertisement-
This scenario would make most fighters sweat profusely and consider withdrawal. But not the steel-willed Della Maddalena. The Aussie brushed off the potentially dangerous infection. Plus, he suffered a broken arm early into the fight. However, he still rallied and finished the fight in an incredible fashion.
This staph infection before the fight may have ultimately ended up infecting the broken arm. Fight fans hope for a speedy recovery for the Australian prospect and see him soon against the Kazakh prospect, Shavkat Rakhmonov.
