Jack Della Maddalena stops Gilbert Burns in career-best victory at UFC 299

Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena launched himself into the welterweight top five with a stoppage win over the durable and experienced Gilbert Burns.

Della Maddalena landed a knee to drop Burns late in the third and final round before following up with a barrage of ground and pound to get the finish.

Burns was ranked fourth at 170-pounds prior to the bout, while Perth’s Della Maddalena was sitting at 11th.

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The results sees the 27-year-old improve to 17-2 and gives him his seventh straight win since joining the UFC.

Burns has now lost two in a row after he dropped a decision to Belal Muhammad while hampered by injury last time out.

The Brazilian looked like he may possibly steal a decision against Della Maddalena in Miami but a late momentum swing saw the Aussie secure the knockout.

In the biggest fight of his career to date, Della Maddalena looked comfortable from the outset, stringing together combinations on the feet and avoiding the danger when Burns looked to take the fight to the mat.

“Durinho” had a little more success in the second round, landing a hard elbow and securing several takedowns.

In the final round, Burns again looked to use his grappling to secure the victory and appeared to be on track before Della Maddalena was able to find some separation down the stretch.

Burns again shot for a takedown but Della Maddalena timed a knee to perfection, sending his opponent to the mat before landing some heavy blows, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the fight.

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 10, 2024Following the victory, Della Maddalena took to the microphone to call out a man few have been eager to face – Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“Our plan was to come here, grab the cash and dash,” Della Maddalena told Joe Rogan in the cage.

“I knew I hurt him, he stayed in there a long time, he’s the man.

“There’s some scary people in this division but I’m the f***in’ scariest and Shavkat Rakhmonov, I think me and you could make a hell of a title eliminator.

“One of best in the division, let’s go.”

A win over the 18-0 Rakhmonov would certainly make the strongest possible case for a title shot.

Author(s)

Tom Naghten is a senior editor for The Sporting News Australia.