Aussie fighter Jack Della Maddalena earns massive praise after ‘nasty’ knockout in UFC debut

Australian mixed martial artist Jack Della Maddalena has left a major impression with a brutal first-round TKO victory at UFC 270.

Fighting in his official UFC debut after earning a contract late last year, the 25-year-old put Pete Rodriguez to sleep three minutes into the first round.

The welterweight’s victory earned praise from all-time great Daniel Cormier and commentator Joe Rogan, while support flooded in on social media.

“That was nasty, right out of range for a left-hand counter,” Cormier said.

“Dude was sleeping on his feet. You can see Rodriguez not there any more.”

Rogan said: “He’s something special, he really is. And he’s only 25 years old - this kid has a huge future ahead of him.”

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“Throughout the entire round you saw such smooth, technical striking. Amazing IQ in terms of octagon intelligence. So good, this kid’s good.”

Della Maddalena had hoped to take home a $50,000 performance of the night bonus in addition to his $10,000 purse.

“To be honest I was waiting for the jitters and they never came,” he said of his UFC debut.

“So same as usual, you know.”

In the UFC 270 main event, Francis Ngannou retained his UFC heavyweight title with a surprising display of superior grappling in a unanimous-decision