UFC 290: Aussie icon Danny Green tips big future for rising star Jack Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena is one of the most promising UFC fighters in Australia. And icon Danny Green was happy to pass on some tips for success at a recent catch-up.

Jack Della Maddalena (right) is one of the brightest welterweight prospects in the UFC, and has some big-name fans in Australia. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Australian boxing legend Danny Green knew right away that Jack Della Maddalena was special, and has tipped his fellow Perth fighter for a huge future.

Currently riding a 14-fight win-streak, including four victories in the UFC, and three consecutive Fight of the Night bonuses, Della Maddalena is one of the hottest prospects in the welterweight division and will fight UFC newcomer Josiah Harrell at this weekend’s UFC 290 blockbuster in Las Vegas.

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Former world champion Green was a big reason Della Maddalena got into combat sport, and the pair met for a training session and a catch-up earlier in the year.

Della Maddalena sends Randy Brown reeling at UFC 284 in Perth. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

“He’s really, really exciting as a fighter, but is also a really humble, mellow dude,” Green tells this masthead. “We had a session together, which was great.

“He picked my brain, we had a chat and talked about some of my experiences and what I’ve been through. I told him a few things so hopefully he doesn’t trip up along the way like I did a few times in my career.”

Despite competing in different combat disciplines, Green was able to pass on plenty of information from his boxing days.

“With my style, I was a pointscorer,” he says. “I was a boxer-puncher and went forward.

“I actually did a lot of wrestling in my training – a lot of stand-up wrestling. I loved in-fighting, which is more about positioning than striking. The striking comes from getting into the position.

“To a small degree, there’s a bit of stand-up jiu-jitsu, but I always had to hide those things in boxing, where he doesn’t have to in MMA.”

Danny Green was happy to pass on some tips. Picture: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

Unsurprisingly, Della Maddalena has earned a reputation as one of the most-avoided fighters in the 170-pound division. With his crowd-pleasing, all-action approach, the father of one has also impressed featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski.

“I’ve trained with him, and he’s very well-rounded, very fit, he’s a pressure fighter and a good boxer,” Volkanovski said. “He’s good everywhere, and he has all the right stuff.

“A lot of guys have all the skills, but don’t have the other stuff to back it up. As in the resilience, durability, fitness and heart. He’s got it all and he’s going to be a hard man to beat.”

Della Maddalena faces an interesting challenge against the wildly named ‘Muscle Hamster’ Harrell, who stepped in to replace Sean Brady on 10 days’ notice.

Della’s plan is to win early, bank another Performance of the Night bonus check and turn around and face Brady at UFC 293 in Sydney in September.

A fan of all the Aussie and Kiwi fighters, Green is especially excited to watch Della Maddalena’s career progress.

“I hope the young bloke gets his name up in lights and fulfils his dreams,” he said. “He trains hard, works hard and he’s a humble young man and carries himself well outside of the ring.

“He’s all action and it’s great to see he’s got a good following already.

“Hopefully he can achieve what he dreams of achieving and I just want to see him success, and I hope everyone follows his journey as well.”

Originally published as UFC 290: Aussie icon Danny Green tips big future for rising star Jack Della Maddalena