LAS VEGAS – Jack Della Maddalena scored the biggest win of his fighting career.
The Australian welterweight prospect defeated veteran Kevin Holland in the co-main event of Saturday’s Noche UFC at T-Mobile Arena. Della Maddalena (16-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) won a split decision on the judges’ scorecards, winning 29-28 on two cards and losing 29-28 on the third.
It was a closely contested fight that had many fans split on the scoring. Holland (25-10 MMA, 12-7 UFC) appeared to be unhappy and in disagreement with the ruling.
The majority, if not all the fight, developed on the feet. Della Maddalena used many leg kicks and did most of the pressuring in the fight. He also seemed to land the cleaner and more significant shots of the fight, but Holland also held his own and didn’t appear too far behind.
#NocheUFC results: Jack Della Maddalena def. Kevin Holland via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Full coverage: https://t.co/7XnEwWhnT9 pic.twitter.com/vr8PKbqQH7
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 17, 2023
Jack Della Maddalena leaves victorious. Did you agree with the decision? 🤔#NocheUFC | More: https://t.co/7XnEwWhVIH pic.twitter.com/BGfxLiUkXx
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) September 17, 2023
As far as what’s next for Della Maddalena, it seems he’s content with whatever the UFC throws his way. There’s no doubt this was the highest profile win of his career.
“Whatever,” Della Maddalena said in the post fight interview. “I honestly don’t give a f*ck. Whatever.”
With this result, Della Maddalena remains unbeaten in the UFC. He’s currently 6-0 in the octagon and on a 15-fight winning streak. Della Maddalena started his professional MMA career with two defeats and since has remained unbeaten. The win over Holland is his most high profile victory to date.
On the other hand, Holland saw a two-fight wining streak come to an end. He had Santiago Ponzinibbio in April and submitted Michael Chiesa in July. Prior to that, he had back to back defeats to Stephen Thompson and Khamzat Chimaev.
Up-to-the-minute Noche UFC results include:
- Jack Della Maddalena def. Kevin Holland via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Terrence Mitchell via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:54
- Daniel Zellhuber def. Christos Giagos via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 3:26
- Kyle Nelson def. Fernando Padilla via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Loopy Godinez def. Elise Reed via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:38
- Roman Kopylov def. Josh Fremd via TKO (body punch) – Round 2, 4:44
- Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel Lacerda declared no contest (referee stoppage overturned) – Round 1, 3:47
- Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Charlie Campbell def. Alex Reyes via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:38
- Josefine Knutsson def. Marnic Mann via unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.