As the excitement builds for UFC 315, the spotlight is on welterweight champion Belal Muhammad as he prepares to defend his title against the rising star Jack Della Maddalena this Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This matchup is particularly intriguing, given that both fighters have previously defeated top contender Gilbert Burns, making him a key figure in analyzing their paths to this title bout.
Belal Muhammad, who holds a professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses, has been vocal about his confidence heading into this fight. He has expressed that he believes Della Maddalena, who boasts a remarkable 17-fight winning streak, only has one path to victory and that his inexperience will be a significant disadvantage. “His standup doesn’t even catch my eye,” Muhammad stated. “I think I’m better everywhere. I can outstrike him, I can outgrapple him, I can outwrestle him.”
In a recent interview with Athlon Sports, Muhammad elaborated on his thoughts regarding Della Maddalena’s capabilities, acknowledging that while he respects Maddalena’s achievements, he feels ready to showcase his skills on the big stage. “When you’re on a 17-fight winning streak, you’re a worthy contender, and I don’t look past anybody,” he said. “Your next fight is always your toughest fight.”
Meanwhile, Gilbert Burns, who has faced both Muhammad and Della Maddalena in the octagon, initially leaned towards Muhammad for this fight but has since shifted his prediction. “I know it’s going to be a close fight, but I was giving a little bit of an edge to Belal,” Burns explained. “Jack is so underrated. He hits very hard, has good boxing combinations, good footwork.” Burns also noted his experience fighting Della Maddalena, recalling how the Australian continued to push through adversity in their match, even after sustaining an injury. “I broke his arm in the first round with a body kick and he kept fighting through the whole fight,” he said.
As the fight approaches, Muhammad’s confidence is palpable. He is not only focused on defending his title but also on proving his dominance in the welterweight division. “I’ve always dreamt of this, I always wanted this, and now that I’m the champ, I’m not going to let it go,” he declared. “I’m going to keep holding on, I’m going to keep getting better, and keep winning.”
In addition to the upcoming title defense, there is growing speculation about what lies ahead for Muhammad and his teammate, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Both fighters have discussed the possibility of moving up in weight to pursue additional titles, yet Muhammad has downplayed the likelihood of Makhachev challenging him for the welterweight championship. “I talk to Khabib all the time, he even messaged me the other day,” Muhammad remarked. “Like I said, them guys are so big about loyalty, and I’m the same way.”
Muhammad’s first title defense comes after a decisive victory over Leon Edwards last July, a fight that solidified his status as the welterweight champion. Following that victory, a planned defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov fell through due to Muhammad suffering a bone infection, and Rakhmonov later faced his own injury issues, leading to Della Maddalena stepping in as the challenger.
As fans eagerly await UFC 315, the stakes are high for both fighters. Della Maddalena, who has shown remarkable resilience and skill, is looking to capitalize on this opportunity to dethrone the champion. “I think that inexperience is going to hurt him, and I think he’s going to realize when he gets in there that I’m a different animal,” Muhammad said confidently.
The fight card also features Ian Machado Garry, who recently earned a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Prates, making him the official backup fighter for UFC 315. Muhammad commented on Garry’s performance, stating, “I thought Ian fought smart. He showed his IQ in that fight.”
As the fight draws closer, the anticipation builds not just for the title clash but also for potential future matchups in the welterweight division. Muhammad has expressed interest in facing a variety of opponents, including Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry, should he successfully defend his title against Della Maddalena. “I’m down with any of these guys,” he said. “It’s just to show the world that I’m better than them, show the world that I’m the best welterweight.”
With the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Muhammad is ready to step into the octagon and prove he belongs at the top of the welterweight division. “I think the headline’s going to read, ‘Belal Muhammad: Canelo hands,’” he predicted. “Now we know what he means. He got hands, he got wrestling, he got grappling. What can’t this guy do?”
As fight night approaches, fans around the world are eager to see if Muhammad can maintain his winning streak and defend his title against the formidable Della Maddalena. The outcome of this matchup will undoubtedly shape the future of the welterweight division and could set the stage for exciting bouts to come.
