UFC 322 is shaping up to be the biggest test of Jack Della Maddalena’s career as he prepares to defend his welterweight title against Islam Makhachev at the legendary Madison Square Garden. Both men enter the fight on massive winning streaks, but the stakes are especially high for Makhachev. A victory would give the Dagestani star two-division gold, tie Anderson Silva’s historic 16-fight UFC win streak, and potentially reclaim the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot.
For Della Maddalena, a win would solidify his status as the future of the 170-pound division. Despite calling Makhachev his toughest test to date, the Australian has already begun sizing up future contenders. Notably, his list did not include unbeaten phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov, a move many saw as a subtle dig from the champion. Now, the Kazakh powerhouse has finally issued his response to the reigning welterweight king.
Shavkat Rakhmonov Calls Out Jack Della Maddalena’s 14-Month Layoff
For those unaware, Rakhmonov was originally lined up to face Belal Muhammad long before Della Maddalena entered the title picture. However, a severe bone injury suffered by Muhammad ahead of UFC 310 in December 2024 derailed their matchup, forcing him to withdraw.
That change in plans led Rakhmonov to face Ian Garry instead, a competitive fight that saw the Kazakh standout retain his undefeated record. But fate had more twists in store. Not long after, Rakhmonov himself was sidelined by a serious knee injury requiring surgery. He has now been out of action for more than a year, with no clear update on his return.
Because of this lengthy layoff, Della Maddalena shifted his attention toward more active contenders like Garry and Sean Brady. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of UFC 322 about Rakhmonov’s status as the No. 1 contender, the champion said, “It’s hard for me to tell. I think the division has moved on.”
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He added, “If you stay inactive, you kind of fall behind. I think that’s where it is. Someone like Sean Brady has been so active, Ian Garry, these guys are very active. How can Shavkat stay in that top position when these guys are fighting guys? It’s a hard one, but I’ll just do whatever I’m told. Whoever’s next is who the UFC tells me is next.”
Now, the Kazakh contender has fired back with a sharp response. Taking to social media, he reminded the champion of one crucial detail, “The only reason you got that title shot was my injury.”
He also pointed out Della Maddalena’s own period of inactivity, adding, “Funny you forgot you were inactive for almost 14 months before that.”
The only reason you got that title shot was my injury.
Funny how you forgot you were inactive for almost 14 months before that 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/ucpccX3zeG— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) November 14, 2025
And he isn’t wrong. Della Maddalena has faced serious injury struggles of his own. After breaking his arm in the opening round of his March 2024 war with Gilbert Burns at UFC 299, the Australian fought through the pain and scored a dramatic third-round knockout. But the X-rays that followed, showing his arm bent at unnatural angles, were only the beginning of a much bigger ordeal.
What should have been a straightforward 6–12 week recovery turned into a nightmare. An infection after the first surgery forced doctors to perform four more procedures to remove blood and foul-smelling discharge.
At one point, there was even concern that the bone could disintegrate, putting his hand at risk. The complications caused him to miss his planned homecoming at UFC 305 in Perth and kept him sidelined for several more months.
He finally made his comeback at UFC 315 in Montreal, where he defeated Muhammad to capture the welterweight title. And even that opportunity came his way only because Rakhmonov declined the fight while recovering from his knee injury.
