Ian Garry mocks Della Maddalena’s “weakest title defense” after UFC 322 loss | MMA UK

Jack Della Maddalena’s UFC welterweight title ended abruptly at UFC 322, as Islam Makhachev’s brutal wrestling display exposed the Australian striker’s defensive vulnerabilities in a one-sided unanimous decision loss. The defeat prompted immediate criticism from rival Ian Garry, who labeled Della Maddalena’s performance as “one of the weakest title defenses in UFC history.” At the same time, even Makhachev faced backlash for what some described as a technically dominant but lackluster championship display.

The blueprint exposed: Makhachev’s wrestling dominance

From the opening bell at Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev executed a near-perfect game plan against the defending champions. Utilizing his sambo background and superior wrestling, Makhachev secured four takedowns and maintained dominant positions throughout the five-round affair. The statistics told a grim story for Della Maddalena: Makhachev landed around 130 strikes in total while controlling more than 14 minutes of ground time, systematically dismantling the Australian’s strike-based offense.

Della Maddalena, who had stormed through the welterweight division with nine consecutive UFC victories, found himself unable to implement his dangerous boxing game. Every time he established striking distance, Makhachev closed the gap and initiated wrestling fights that sapped the champion’s energy and confidence. The 50-45 scorecards for all three judges reflected the comprehensive nature of Makhachev’s victory and exposed the tricky deficit lurking beneath Della Maddalena’s knockouts.

Garry’s immediate criticism: kicking a rival while he’s in trouble

Within hours of the defeat, undefeated welterweight contender Ian Garry launched a social media attack on the dethroned champion. “That has to be one of the weakest title defenses I’ve ever seen,” Garry posted to his large following. “All this talk about my family, and you can’t even defend a takedown? Maybe you’re focusing on your own game instead of the personal lives of others.”

The criticism had extra punch given the history between the two fighters. Della Maddalena had previously mocked Garry’s parenting situation during their war of words, giving the Irish contender plenty of ammunition for retaliation. Garry’s comments quickly went viral, further infuriating Della Maddalena and potentially setting up a grudge match that could help both fighters bounce back from their recent career setbacks.

The opposition to Makhachev’s ‘safe’ victory

Surprisingly, even the new champion was criticized despite his dominant performance. Several MMA analysts and fans described Makhachev’s approach as overly cautious and “boring,” especially in the championship rounds, when he seemed content to maintain his position rather than chasing finishes. The victory marked Makhachev’s second straight decision win since moving up to welterweight, leading to questions about whether his style translates as effectively against bigger opponents.

Former champion Kamaru Usman, who has been mentioned as Makhachev’s next potential challenger, noted that “real champions take risks”, subtly criticizing the new title holder’s risk-averse approach. This story creates an interesting dynamic for Makhachev’s first title defense, as he may come under pressure to deliver more exciting performances to cement his welterweight legacy.

What’s next for Della Maddalena?

The former champion now faces a crucial moment in his career. At 28 years old, he remains one of the division’s most talented strikers, but the loss to Makhachev exposed clear shortcomings that need to be addressed. Della Maddalena’s team indicated they will likely return to Australia to reassess his training approach, particularly his takedown defense and wrestling skills.

A matchup against Ian Garry seems inevitable given their heated argument, although the UFC may choose to build that fight by having both competitors win their next fights first. Other potential opponents include Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson or Michel Pereira, strikers who would allow Della Maddalena to showcase his strengths as he works his way into title contention.

Conclusion: a humbling night in New York

UFC 322 reminded us that championship-level MMA requires complete skills, not just exceptional skills in one discipline. For Jack Della Maddalena, the loss represents both a setback and an opportunity: a chance to address the weaknesses that kept him from executing his game plan against an elite wrestler.

For Islam Makhachev, the win cements his status as one of the sport’s most technically skilled fighters, even if the performance failed to excite part of the fanbase. As both men move forward, their paths appear destined to cross again with other emerging contenders, keeping the welterweight division one of the UFC’s most attractive weight classes despite the championship changing hands.

Della Maddalena’s title loss: frequently asked questions