‘Stupid as hell’ - UFC rival’s tirade after Jack Della Maddalena’s hard fought victory

Called up on just five days’ notice, Hafez attempted 17 takedowns as he looked to avoid Della Maddalena’s superior striking onslaught. After 15 high-octane minutes, the West Australian kept his unbeaten UFC run intact with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29.

The result also continues Della Maddalena’s streak of collecting fight night bonus checks, with the bout being named Fight of the Night.

It caps off a tumultuous three weeks for the 26-year-old welterweight.

Della Maddalena was originally supposed to fight Sean Brady at UFC 290 last weekend, before the American pulled out with a staph infection just 10 days before the bout.

Late notice replacement Josiah ‘Muscle Hamster’ Harrell then pulled out after the weigh-ins when routine medicals found he had a rare brain disease.

Della Maddalena stayed in Vegas, hoping to land another fight, even offering to compete up a weight class at middleweight.

A few fighters threw their hat in the ring, with loudmouth American Joaquin Buckley making the most noise.

Buckley said he couldn’t take the fight on such short notice, but wants to face Della Maddalena at UFC 293 in Sydney in September.

The 16-6 Buckley was quick to take to social media immediately after Della Maddalena’s fight, criticising his performance.

“This man out here begging to get knocked out, and you out here struggling with this man,” he said on Instagram. “I can see why you wanted to fight me on a week’s notice. You don’t want to fight me on a full camp, Jack.

“This boy went to war with your ass, making you look goofy.

“Goddamn, Jack. Stupid as hell. You know you just lost this fight. I don’t care what nobody says, if they give it to Jack, they straight up robbed Hafez.

“We’ll see. We’ll see. Let’s see if he still takes this fight in Australia, because I’m still on his ass.”

Hafez fought like a man with nothing to lose, while Della Maddalena had to contend with the double weight cut, the extended time away from home and the pressure of being an overwhelming favourite against an unknown quantity.

Hafez landed an early takedown, before Della Maddalena attempted a guillotine on the mat in the opening minute of the fight.

Della Maddalena won all of the striking encounters, with Hafez repeatedly looking for takedown opportunities.

After five minutes, it was the longest round of the Australian’s UFC career, and the first round he’d ever lost.

Hafez tired in the second round as ‘Giacomo’ started attacking the body.

A right hook stunned Hafez in the third, but he showed a granite chin to keep fighting back.

“I did expect it, a guy with a big opportunity coming out here taking the fight,” Della Maddalena said. “I wanted a three round fight, cheers Bassil.

“I knew I had to push the pace, I felt good.

“I was trying to push the pace, he’s a big strong boy, so I just tried to push it.”

Speaking to this masthead before the fight, Della Maddalena said the plan was to turn around and face Brady in Sydney in September.

It remains to be seen whether that is still the plan considering UFC 293 is now just eight weeks away.