When will Jack Della Maddalena fight next? Australian UFC champion reveals timeline for return

Jack Della Maddalena became Australia's third UFC champion defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision in Montreal at UFC 315.

The 28-year-old built on the foundations that Robert Whittaker and Alex Volkanovski set for Australian MMA, however he is the first fighter to bring the belt back to Perth.

Now riding an 18-fight win streak, Della Maddalena credits his coach Ben Vickers for the success he's had since entering the promotion.

"I wouldn't be here without him and obviously he wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t found the guy," he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

"I always believed that I could be a champion, but he always believed that he could coach a world champion, so I feel like we were just destined."

MORE: UFC 315 full card results

Della Maddalena lost his first two professional bouts before going on this current run of form. 

When pressed on whether he thought those setbacks could have led to an early retirement from the sport, the Scrappy MMA product hinted at the fact that his first win is what kept him in the game.

"That was an important one, you know, like if I’d of lost that one I probably would have I guess," he said.

From 0-2 in his professional career, to UFC champion, things have gone exactly to plan for Della Maddalena, including how he saw the matchup with Muhammad playing out.

"The first time we’ve [Australia] got two current champs, it’s awesome," he said.

"I feel like watching it back I won every round."

When will Jack Della Maddalena fight next?

UFC President Dana White announced that Islam Makhachev will vacate the lightweight belt to move up to welterweight. 

Makhachev, who currently sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings, will more than likely get an immediate title shot against Della Maddalena.

The timeline for when that fight will be scheduled remains unclear, however, the Australian made it known that he intends to be active.

"September I’d be good to go, if something came up earlier, August maybe if there was something good," he said.

UFC 319 is the pay-per-view card in August and is slated for the United Center in Chicago with a main event already in place between middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and terrifying challenger Khamzat Chimaev..

September is traditionally UFC Noche, the promotion's Mexican themed show, and this year's offering is set for Arena Guadalajara in Guadalajara Mexico. As it currently stands, there is no main event scheduled for that card.