Emerging from a period of rest, Kamaru Usman, known by many as the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, may be poised for a comeback to shake up the welterweight division. Having been absent from the Octagon since the previous year, anticipation surrounds his prospective next battle. The fight community is buzzing with rumours of a matchup with up-and-coming fighter Jack Della Maddalena as hinted towards UFC 312.
Australian athlete Della Maddalena stirred the pot when he circulated a report that a verbal agreement is in place for their confrontation in Sydney. Scheduled for February 9th, UFC 312 is placed in Australia. Della Maddalena, who currently impresses in the welterweight division at rank #4, is on the hunt for a high-profile competitor to further enhance his reputation.
In the mix, Kamaru Usman, frequently referred to as the welterweight ‘GOAT’ by UFC president Dana White, emerges as a fitting candidate. An agreement has been informally reached for this fight to become the highlight of UFC 312 on Australian soil.
Della Maddalena commenced his career in a less than stellar fashion, suffering two losses. However, his journey experienced a swift turnaround, resulting in a formidable winning streak – seventeen consecutive victories to be exact. This impressive record change demonstrated his mettle, solidifying his standing in the sport.
His recent triumphs against formidable opponents such as Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland attest to his formidable prowess. Della Maddalena has thus cemented his position in the welterweight world as a force to be reckoned with.
For Usman, this upcoming showdown presents intriguing possibilities. After experiencing a series of difficult losses, he’s on the path of recovery and intends to reclaim his winning streak. Now aged 37, there’s increasing pressure to demonstrate his enduring competitiveness in the cutthroat world of UFC.
Moreover, by taking on a younger, ambitious contender like Della Maddalena, Usman could find an opportunity to restore his legendary reputation. Even the most resilient warriors, though, can be undone by factors beyond their control—as Della Maddalena knows all too well.
Originally, Della Maddalena was scheduled for a hometown tussle at UFC 305 in Perth, a plan that unfortunately went off course. His conflict wasn’t with a fellow fighter, but with an unexpected health situation following his lauded victory against Gilbert Burns at UFC 299.
In the course of this impactful fight, Della Maddalena incurred a broken forearm, but it didn’t deter his path to securing a knockout win. This achievement, however, came with a fair share of complications, leading to multiple surgeries.
After undergoing his first surgery, complications arose as the wound began showing signs of opening up only ten days post-procedure. This unforeseen development necessitated a second round of medical intervention, which included extensive bone cleaning and a plate replacement.
This was further followed by nine long days of intensive IV antibiotic treatments. As per medical advice, a recovery period of twelve weeks was necessary if all went according to plan.
‘Poor timing’ does not begin to describe this unfortunate series of events. UFC 305 was slated for August 17th at the RAC Arena in Perth. For any fighter, a bout in their hometown is a special occasion, one that Della Maddalena was sadly forced to forego.
Rather than delivering powerful punches in the ring, Della Maddalena found himself on a diet of medication. However, the optimism remains high for his return to the Octagon. A showdown with Kamaru Usman, a titan in the welterweight division, is a much-anticipated event for fans.
With the impending match potentially on the horizon, the anticipation builds for his return. Both competitors are no strangers to overcoming obstacles, and their possible meeting in the UFC 312 ring promises to be an exciting sight. Let’s wait and watch, as the eager spectators will hopefully witness the return of ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ Usman against the rising Australian star Jack Della Maddalena.