Preview: UFC 290 Prelims

Welterweights

Jack Della Maddalena (14-2) vs. Josiah Harrell (7-0)
Odds: Della Maddalena (-950), Harrell (+600)

Jack Della Maddalena has proven himself to be an elite welterweight prospect every time out during his UFC career, and this time figures to be no different. A fun decision win over Ange Loosa in 2021 to win a contract on the Contender Series was a promising sign for the Australian, but 2022 was a true breakout, as he ran through Pete Rodriguez, Ramazan Emeev and Danny Roberts for first-round knockouts. A February bout against Randy Brown in Della Maddalena's hometown of Perth figured to be his toughest test yet, but things went much the same outside of the first-round victory coming via submission rather than the usual knockout. There could be a setback coming for Della Maddalena, as while he's about as offensively sharp in his aggression as any prospect in recent memory, his willingness to press things could lead him into a knockout - but that seems unlikely to come here against late replacement and UFC newcomer Josiah Harrell. As expected from a man nicknamed "Muscle Hamster," Harrell has a thickly built frame that he can use to impressive effect when he can get his hands on his opponents and get them to the mat, though there are long-term concerns he could be stuck between divisions - he's undersized as a welterweight, but has already proven to have difficulties cutting down to 155 pounds. And as far as this fight is concerned, he doesn't seem to have much answer for the offensive volume and diversity that Della Maddalena brings to the table; the pick is Della Maddalena via first-round knockout.

Jump To »
Lawler vs. Price
Della Maddalena vs. Harrell
Jauregui vs. Gomes
Crute vs. Menifield
Taira vs. Chairez
Petrino vs. Prachnio
Saaiman vs. Mitchell
Ross vs. Aguilar
Kirk vs. Ribovics