Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena says fellow rising star Sean Brady owes him a Sydney showdown after he “s … the bed” and withdrew from their hyped UFC 290 bout this Sunday.
Already the reigning UFC Rookie of the Year, Maddalena will look to take his undefeated Octagon streak to five wins when, with Brady out, he now faces Josiah Harrell in Las Vegas.
The 26-year-old Perth product is among four Aussies on the undercard of UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski – and was initially slated for the biggest fight of his career against Brady, who is ranked at No. 8 in the welterweight division.
But when the American withdrew last week with Streptococcus B in his left elbow, the UFC was forced into a mad scramble to find a replacement.
Enter Harrell – aka, Muscle Hamster.
An Ohio wrestler who is undefeated in all seven professional appearances, Harrell is looking to end the Aussie sensation just weeks after going viral himself for a monster takedown that took his opponent into, then through a steel cage door.
UFC 290 | SUN JULY 9: It’s an Aussie Takeover in Vegas for one of biggest fights of the year. UFC Champ Alex Volkanovski takes on Yair Rodriguez and fan favourite Rob Whittaker returns to the Octagon. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >
‘Muscle Hamster’ spears fighter out cage | 00:39
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Should Maddalena win however and continue a streak now stretching 14 fights and all four UFC appearances, he says Brady should then agree to fight him at UFC 293 in Sydney on September 10.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the rising star also shrugged off a social media post by Brady, who was upset with suggestions from the Aussie star that he had “s … the bed’ by withdrawing.
Taking to Instagram shortly after the withdrawal was announced, Maddalena wrote: “Brady has s … the bed. Open challenge to anyone in the promotion. 170 – 185 International fight week.”
In response, Brady explained that despite having his elbow drained twice, and taking various courses of antibiotics, a surgeon had ruled him out of competing.
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“To Jack, I’m sorry we won’t be able to get to share the cage together,” Brady wrote on social media.
“I know you worked just as hard as me but as for saying ‘Brady s … the bed’ I expect that from an internet troll, but not a fellow fighter himself, so shame on you and I hope you/none of your teammates have to go through this in the future. We’ll see each other someday soon.”
To which Della says what?
“It’s just a phrase,” the Perth fighter shrugged this week during an interview at the UFC Apex centre.
“At the end of the day, our fight didn’t go ahead because he pulled out of it.
“Whether he ‘s … the bed’ or not, it’s just a slang phrase.
“I obviously hope he’s OK, I wouldn’t wish anything bad on him, but as for being upset by a slur … I would’ve done a lot worse to him in our fight.”
UFC 290 Full Press Conference | 27:08
Maddalena also revealed he now wants to win Sunday and fight again at UFC 293.
While Brady lost his most recent fight against Belal Muhammad at UFC 280, the Philadelphia fighter had before that gone undefeated through his first 15 professional fights.
“So that’s the best case scenario,” the Aussie said of a Sydney showdown between the two young guns.
“And Sean Brady is a good test for me.
“It’s a cool fight, makes sense and a lot of people are into seeing it happen.
“Sean Brady was a young prospect last year and, while he had that tough loss (against Muhammad) it’s a great test for me.
“So now we can now just push the fight back a few weeks and go in Sydney.”
Asked if he felt Brady owed him the UFC 293 showdown, Maddalena continued: “Well, I got out here to fight him.
“I came out here and he’s the reason the fight didn’t go ahead.
“So, yeah, I do feel like he owes it to me.”
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Despite not getting the fight he initially wanted in Las Vegas this weekend, the Aussie is also refusing to look past his new, and wonderfully named rival, Muscle Hamster.
“It remains a similar game plan — stick and move,” JDM said.
“Sean Brady is a shorter, compact grappler and that’s also exactly what I’ve got now in Josiah.
“So not much changes.
“Initially, when I found out the fight was off I was devastated.
“But straight away the UFC said they would get me someone and that’s what has happened.
“I trusted the process, trusted the UFC and my mindset hasn’t changed — go out there and win.
“In preparation, I’ve watched his last two fights and I think I’m a lot better than him.
“But I’m not looking past the guy, either. I’m taking this very seriously. And I also plan to take him out.”
Asked about that viral moment last month when Hamster drove his rival into, then through a steel cage door, Maddalena continued: “Yeah, I did see that a couple of weeks ago.
“But when the UFC told me the name of my new opponent, I didn’t realise it was him.
“I just said ‘yep, we’re in’ and later realised it was his last fight.
“Crazy moment.”