UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad wants to create a legacy that compares to 170 GOAT Georges St. Pierre, and his quest began against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on Saturday night.
Muhammad (24-3) attempted his first title defense in the UFC against Maddalena. Originally set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov last December the fight fell through due to a bone infection in Muhammad’s foot. Rakhmonov went on to defeat Ian Machado Garry that night.
The current welterweight champion has said he wants his resume to compare to GSP’s and he’s certainly on his way. Wins over Leon Edwards, Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson and Damian Maia have him on his way.
Maddalena (17-2) hoped to put a stop to the ‘Bully’ train at UFC 315. The Australian welterweight brought his 7-fight UFC win streak into Montreal against Muhammad. He’s been out of action for just over a year, last fought in March 2024, but wins over Burns, Kevin Holland and Randy Brown put him on the short list to fight for the belt.
Round 1 Maddalena came out firing jabs and following some with right hands. Muhammad fired back with shots of his own, but no takedown just yet. Maddalena was looking to be first and lead the dance. Muhammad changed to a double-jab strategy early on.
Maddalena pulled back on the pressure a bit seemingly opting to bait Muhammad into walking forward. Muhammad did just that and ate a left hand.
Muhammad started to get his rhythm going and began putting hands on Maddalena. Round ended with Muhammad trying a question mark kick.
Round 2 Maddalena came out with more kicks in this round. Muhammad was aware and did a solid job of blocking them early. Maddalena continued a kick-heavy attack, but then dips when he throws hands. He was trying to discourage Muhammad’s takedowns.
Round 3 Maddalena began fighting more and more confident. He began feinting takedowns which is not at all something he does normally. Muhammad really stuck to a striking attack instead of what he did against Leon Edwards to win the title.
Muhammad put together some solid exchanges but still felt like he was a step behind the challenger. Maddalena would land on the champ and then avoid everything coming his way.
Round 4 the champ decided to get in much closer using his pressure and punch his way into a shot. Maddalena’s rhythm was so good at this point that it seemed like he feared nothing coming his way.
Muhammad shot in for a takedown after going in with a flurry, and then took his back. Maddalena got up, used his under hooks and got Muhammad off him. Muhammad tried to force the issue with the takedowns, but still couldn’t get the Aussie down.
Round ended with Muhammad trying to land anything on Maddalena.
Round 5 Maddalena seemed comfortable and almost like it was a foregone conclusion that he’d be the new champ. Muhammad wasn’t ready to crown him so he went after the Aussie.
Muhammad finally scored a takedown halfway through the round but he could not keep the challenger down.
The remaining minute or so of the fight was a beautiful display of violence from two of the best welterweights in the world! Both broken, bloodied and exhausted at the end of the fight!
Official Result: Jack Della Maddalena def. Belal Muhammad via Unanimous Decision (48-47×2, 49-46)
