Jack Della Maddalena | Instagram
Jack Della Maddalena: Childhood Upbringing
Ahead of his UFC 315 title fight against Belal Muhammad, Jack Della Maddalena has risen as the next WW contender, introducing him to fans across the world for the first time.
Maddalena had a childhood that shaped his path to becoming a knockout artist, and more importantly, a title contender. His early years were spent in a gritty, competitive environment that fueled his transition from rugby to MMA. It seems family has always been important to Maddalena, something he largely attributes to his success.
Clearly never having forgotten where he comes from, even fighting 3,500 miles away from home, Maddalena’s upbringing is an important part of his story. Here’s a look into the childhood of the next man fighting for the UFC welterwight belt:
JDM | Photo, UFC
Childhood & Rugby
Born on September 10, 1996, in Perth, Western Australia, Maddalena grew up in a family of Italian descent, with a Sardinian grandfather who brought a touch of Mediterranean culture to the household. As a kid, Jack played rugby starting at eight years old, playing through his school years at St. Kevin’s College in Melbourne and Aquinas College in Perth.
Rugby’s physicality was Maddalena’s first love, and he was no stranger to the violent nature of the game. He played rugby for his school for years, thriving in the sport’s chaotic, full-contact environment.
Despite the natural physicality of rugby, the real fun came from his backyard battles with his older brother, Josh Maddalena, who was two years his senior and also a future MMA fighter.
Jack & Josh Della Maddalena | Instagram
Brotherly Love
Picture two young brothers in a Perth backyard, no gloves, no rules, just pure sibling rivalry. Jack and Josh would wrestle, scrap, and throw punches, with Jack often getting the worse end of it due to the age gap.
These weren’t just playful tussles—they were full-on brawls that sometimes spilled over into makeshift training. They’d take turns whacking a tackle bag, Josh throwing heavy punches while Jack tried to keep up, kicking and swinging with whatever they had. It was less “training” and more a test of who could survive the other’s enthusiasm.
Jack later said they were “always fighting,” and those beatdowns from Josh toughened him up, planting the seeds for his future in MMA.
Jack and Josh were so obsessed with fighting that they’d spend hours watching UFC and Pride FC bouts on YouTube, mimicking moves they saw. This wasn’t just casual fandom, it was a blueprint for their futures.
Jack & Josh Della Maddalena | Instagram
First Taste of MMA
At 14, influenced by Josh, Jack stepped into a boxing gym, initially to boost his fitness for rugby. The gym ended up being a revelation. Surrounded by the sounds of gloves on pads and the raw energy of fighters, he fell in love with boxing. The backyard scraps with Josh had been chaotic, but here was structure and technique to channel his aggression.
Maddalena started sneaking in MMA training too, attending jiu-jitsu and kickboxing classes, sometimes straight after rugby practice. At 16 years old, Maddalena was officially training MMA too.
Belal vs JDM | HOF
Years in the Making
A lifetime of martial arts & competition all boils down to UFC 315. Maddalena has an opportunity to capture UFC gold and bring it home to his people in Perth.
Belal Muhammad is certainly Maddalena’s toughest fight to date, but the support of his fans & family will be felt all the way across the world in Canada. Deservingly so, after years of support, Australia may have themselves a new champion in Maddalena come Monday morning.
Don’t miss UFC 315 on Saturday May 10th, 2025 at 6:30pm EST!
Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!
