Jack Della Maddalena didn't even know he had broken his left arm in the first round of his statement win over former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 299.
"I can't pinpoint the exact moment," Della Maddalena tells ESPN. "He came out kicking a lot to the body, so, I mean, a forearm is there for a block. It must have been on one of those kicks.
"Going into the third round, I remember thinking I couldn't really grip my fist too well. I was thinking maybe I had broken my hand. It wasn't really hurting, though; adrenaline was running [but] as soon as the fight had stopped, and everything had calmed down, it was pretty soon it started hurting."
Overcoming a broken arm in Miami to finish the accomplished Burns with a series of head strikes only makes Della Maddalena's feat more remarkable.
The Perth native's latest win hasn't just kept his perfect record in the Octagon intact, it's also promoted him to the No. 5-ranked welterweight in the world.
On Tuesday, Della Maddalena underwent successful surgery on his left arm. He now faces three months of rehabilitation.
"In the past I've definitely come back too fast from injuries. I don't want to rush things," he said. "I've just got to take the time to relax a little bit and enjoy time with the family. I'll probably just stay in the gym and sit on the sidelines during training. I'll still be present and do what I can. Prepare the body to go again soon."
The 12-week injury layoff hasn't stopped Della Maddalena from plotting his next move, and it's one which is shaping as the beginning of a potentially career-defining 12 months.
"I'm pretty focused on fighting in Australia again. I realise that a lot of my fights are going to be in the United States and other places, so when the opportunity comes around to fight in Australia, it's pretty cool. It's exciting," Della Maddalena told ESPN. "August, I'm pretty sure that's when the UFC is looking at coming to Australia, that's my goal.
"After my fight [against Burns] I made it clear I want to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov. I think that's a big title eliminator fight that a lot of fans can get behind."
Rakhmonov (18-0), the third-ranked welterweight, last fought Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December, winning by submission in the second round. Later, Rakhmonov revealed he had torn a major ligament in his ankle six weeks prior to the bout and had been close to withdrawing.
I respect your courage and confidence Jack, but you will face the same fate as my previous opponents
— Shavkat "Nomad" Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) March 10, 2024
The 29-year-old Kazakh fighter called out division champion Leon Edwards last year, but is yet to agree to terms for an upcoming bout. He did, however, entertain the prospect of squaring off with Della Madallena in a not-so-cryptic post on social media platform 'X'.
Della Maddalena doesn't expect the potential fight to be anything close to a one-sided affair, and if it was to go ahead, the winner would almost certainly earn that right to fight for a world title.
"Outside the champion, I think he's the best fighter in the division. A lot of the UFC and the welterweights agree with that. He's a very dangerous fighter. He's very aggressive. He finishes," Della Maddalena said of Rakhmonov. "I think in his fights he's shown incredible toughness, but he has shown he can be hit, and I think I can hit him.
"I think I can beat him, I truly do. I would go into that fight when it happens with full confidence I can finish him.
"If we can put together this fight in August, if I can beat him, I should be able to get that title shot. That's what I believe. In 12 months I will be the UFC welterweight champion."