Jacques della Maddalena gets into a fight – just a week later than originally expected.
The rising welterweight prospect will face off against Basil Hafez at UFC on ESPN 49 on Saturday. Ariel Helwani at first mentioned
The reservation was 170 pounds via Twitter, and Hafez later confirmed it via social media.
Maddalena had two opponents go down at UFC 290. First, Shawn Brady pulled out of the fight due to septic bursitis in his elbow. Then, alternate Josiah Harrell was pulled shortly from the card after he was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, a rare brain disorder. The 26-year-old Maddalena has won 14 consecutive bouts, including four straight first-round finishes in UFC competition. Recently, Randy Brown performed in the opening segment at UFC 284 on February 11th.
Hafiz, 31, has won four of his last five professional matches. He is knocked out by a third-round knockout of Evan Katz at Fury FC 75 to claim the promotion’s welterweight title.
The UFC tournament takes place on ESPN 49 this Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, headlining the women’s bantamweight showdown pitting Holly Holm against Mayra Bueno Silva.