UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad aimed to establish a legacy on par with mixed martial arts great Georges St. Pierre. This quest began when Muhammad defended his title against Australian contender Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on Saturday night in Montreal. The matchup marked a significant moment in Muhammad's career as he looked to solidify his status in a division rich with talent.
Belal Muhammad, with a professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses, sought to defend his title for the first time. His initial title defense was originally scheduled against Shavkat Rakhmonov last December, but it fell through due to a serious bone infection in his foot. Rakhmonov went on to defeat Ian Machado Garry that same night, solidifying his place in the welterweight division. Muhammad, however, did not let this setback deter him from his objectives.
In his pursuit to build a resume that rivals GSP’s, Muhammad has accumulated impressive victories over notable fighters including Leon Edwards, Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia. Each of these wins has contributed to his reputation as a top competitor in the UFC.
Jack Della Maddalena entered UFC 315 with an impressive record of 17 wins and 2 losses, sporting a seven-fight win streak in the UFC. His last fight took place over a year ago in March 2024, but victories against elite fighters like Burns, Kevin Holland, and Randy Brown paved his path to a title shot against Muhammad. Maddalena was determined to halt Muhammad's reign as champion.
As the fight commenced, Maddalena established his dominance early in Round 1, unleashing jabs and following up with right hands. Muhammad responded with his own strikes, creating an exchange of offense but refraining from attempting a takedown. As the round progressed, Maddalena sought to lead the exchanges while Muhammad adjusted to a double-jab strategy to find his rhythm. The round concluded with Muhammad attempting a question mark kick.
In Round 2, Maddalena increased his use of kicks, forcing Muhammad to stay alert and defensive. Maddalena's strategy of mixing strikes with kicks aimed to discourage Muhammad from initiating takedowns. The tactical change by both fighters set the pace for an intriguing contest.
Round 3 saw Maddalena's confidence grow. He began to feint takedowns, employing a strategy usually outside his character. Meanwhile, Muhammad chose a striking approach instead of relying on the grappling tactics that helped him defeat Leon Edwards to clinch the title. Despite Muhammad's solid exchanges, he appeared to be a step behind Maddalena, who effectively evaded incoming shots while landing his own.
As Round 4 unfolded, Muhammad adopted a close-range strategy, applying pressure while searching for a takedown. However, Maddalena's rhythm and composure made him difficult to control. After a flurry of strikes, Muhammad attempted to secure a takedown but found Maddalena using his underhooks to escape back to his feet. Although Muhammad pushed for takedowns, he struggled to bring the Aussie down.
Entering the fifth and final round, Maddalena seemed comfortable, appearing as if victory was inevitable. Nevertheless, Muhammad was determined to contest that narrative. He finally landed a takedown midway through Round 5 but could not maintain control over the resilient challenger. The remaining moments of the fight showcased a thrilling display of striking from both welterweights. In the end, both fighters emerged bloodied and exhausted, emphasizing the intensity of their contest.
The official result confirmed Jack Della Maddalena as the new UFC welterweight champion after defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the bout 48-47 twice and 49-46. This victory marked a significant milestone for Maddalena, propelling him to championship status in one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC.
