Morning Report | Alexander Volkanovski celebrates Jack Della Maddalena's UFC 315 title win: 'That's making history' |
05/12/2025 08:00 AM -
For the first time in history, Australia has two UFC champions, and Alexander Volkanovski couldn't be happier.
On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena pulled off the upset, winning a unanimous decision over Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 315. The win made "JDM" just the third Australian champion in UFC history, behind Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker, and with Volkanovski reclaiming the featherweight title at UFC 314 last month, means that for the first time, The Land Down Under has two simultaneous UFC champions.
"Jack Delly gets it done. How good is that? Two belts back in Australia," Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. "Great fight, very fun fight. Very competitive. I think Jack — as soon as I heard 49-46, I thought that was Jack. If anyone was 49-46, it was Jack. Obviously, there were some close rounds. ...
"Great boxing, great takedown defense. Even when he got taken down, was never in a really bad position. There was one time in the fight where he was on the bottom. It's weird with Jack Della. I was even trying to say [Muhammad] might get him down, but he'll always eventually find his way up. It's like sometimes he ends up down, 'Oh, alright. Well done. Accept it a little bit, maybe give me 10, 20 seconds to get my breath back.' And whenever he chooses to make something happen and get back to his feet, he can. If you go back and watch a few of his fights, you'll see him doing that, and you saw that again tonight. Belal was able to get him in the pin, but when he chose, 'Alright, I'm getting up,' he just made space and got up."
Though Della Maddalena won, Muhammad gave a good accounting of himself. While he was unable to secure takedowns, "Remember the Name" had his share of success on the feet, contributing to the two men earning Fight of the Night honors. Still, Muhammad got busted up pretty badly in the fight, and Volkanovski celebrated the former champion for his wherewithal.
"Credit to Belal," Volkanovski said. "Belal was still standing his ground. Della was landing big shots, and Belal was eating them. So credit to Belal, he's got a chin. I thought shots like that would have gotten him down, so you've got to give credit to Belal for eating them like he did.
"But Della, well done, my man. That's an incredible victory. Massive win against a tough, well-rounded opponent like Belal. Incredible. Two belts to Australia. ...
"Incredible. I'm buzzing. Very, very, very happy for Jack Della. That's making history. Two belts in Australia right now. Two champions at the same time. Incredible. Jack Della, congratulations. Well done, my man."
TOP STORIES
Warning. Islam Makhachevissues warning to Jack Della Maddalena after UFC 315 main event; JDM responds.
Defeat. Belal Muhammad releases statement after UFC 315 championship loss.
NSFW. Dana Whiteshares horrific image of Belal Muhammad's bloody split lip after UFC 315 main event.
Stay. Valentina Shevchenko implores Manon Fiorotnot to follow up on retirement wager after UFC 315.
GOAT. Jose Aldolists injuries suffered before UFC 315, says doctor advised to cancel fight.
OK. Bruno Silva provides health update after leaving the octagon on a stretcher following scary UFC 315 knockout.
HOF. Vitor Belfort announced for the UFC Hall of Fame Pioneer Wing.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 315 Post Show.
UFC 315 Watch Party.
On to the Next One.
Daniel Cormier reacts to UFC 315.
Dana White went Lookin' For A Fight in Tampa.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Farewell.
This may have been my last time inside the Octagon.
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) May 11, 2025
This week, I faced one of the biggest battles of my life, and it wasn't against an opponent, but within myself.
Over the past few years, I rekindled the dream of becoming a champion once again. I trained as I always did, gave… pic.twitter.com/Cv9FVWsLt7
more than I ever had. But while cutting weight, something inside me said: "You don't need to do this anymore."
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) May 11, 2025
And I listened.
It's time to move forward.
To live for my wife, for my kids. To celebrate the story I wrote with every war, every belt earned through blood and faith. pic.twitter.com/Vu30NHmo2k
Thank you, Dana White and @lorenzofertita. Thank you to the UFC.
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) May 11, 2025
And most of all — thank you, my fans.
You were the fuel behind every walk to the cage. You made me a king.
If this was my farewell, know that I leave in peace.
With a heart full of gratitude and my head held high. pic.twitter.com/CoJwrQNszy
Respect.
Congrats to Jose Aldo on an incredible career Simply one of the best to ever do it! @ufc
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) May 11, 2025
Here's Volk's reaction in real time.
Volk fucking loves it pic.twitter.com/g4Z2FgMGdj
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) May 11, 2025
Getting his name back out there.
Congratulations to JDM. It was great performance after long layover and injuries. You know I'm the real challenge at 170. Sooner or later my time will come
— Shavkat "Nomad" Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) May 11, 2025
Harsh.
Crazy praying for your so called brothers down fall #InshaAllahIsWildhttps://t.co/7LPs0N1oAF
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) May 11, 2025
Big Ank Time.
I was offered to Fight Alex international fight week if the man don't want it let's move on I'm ready for everyone. I dare you.
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) May 11, 2025
FINAL THOUGHTS
If this really is the last of Jose Aldo, what a friggin' career. But I hope he comes back for one more. A true retirement fight in Rio against Patricio Pitbull, that's the way to send him off.
EXIT POLL
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