UFC welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena aims to put a swift end to Belal Muhammad’s title reign.
Jack Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad didn’t originally have beef when their UFC 315 title fight was booked, but that’s changed in recent days.
Muhammad’s first UFC welterweight title defense comes against Muhammad in the UFC 315 main event next month in Montreal. He returns to the Octagon after withdrawing from UFC 310 due to injury, as he was supposed to face Shavkat Rakhmonov for the first test of his title reign.
It’s a steep ascent for Maddalena more than a full year removed from his most recent victory over former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 299. Now, the Australian star will compete for UFC gold, and to make Muhammad’s title reign a short-lived endeavor.
Jack Della Maddalena ramps up Belal Muhammad beef ahead of UFC 315
Tensions between Maddalena and Muhammad are ramping up as UFC 315 draws closer. After Maddalena predicted a first-round stoppage against Muhammad, it didn’t take long for Muhammad to hit back on social media, and the two sides are escalating their pre-fight feud.
Muhammad, who defeated Leon Edwards for the belt at UFC 304 last July, has a well-rounded style but often goes the full distance in his fights. Maddalena doesn’t think highly of Muhammad’s approach to fighting, but compares it with an all-time great.
During a recent interview with Fox Sports Australia, Maddalena added another layer to his budding feud with Muhammad.
“It’s no question he’s got a boring fight style,” Maddalena said of Muhammad. “He’s good at holding people down, getting victories, but fair play to him. (Georges St-Pierre) got some flak back in the day for being a boring style, and it’s just because he’s better than people across the board. He can hold down the strikers and outstrike the grapplers, that sort of thing.
“So, we’ve got to give him credit. I definitely think it’s a boring style, but I think winning is obviously his No. 1 goal and fair play to him, but I feel like I can beat him. I’m a more dangerous fighter for sure, and I think I cannot only get the world title, but get the world title off a dominant finish with style points for sure.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Maddalena’s undefeated UFC run has featured plenty of style-point winning performances, including his most recent fight against Burns. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum has finished the likes of Pete Rodriguez, Randy Brown, and Ramazan Emeev in his promotional tenure.
Muhammad’s last stoppage win came against Sean Brady at UFC 280, winning by TKO. Recent victories over Edwards, Burns, and Vicente Luque all came by decision.
Jack Della Maddalena’s UFC 315 ‘fundraiser’ clarified after fan backlash
Maddalena raised some eyebrows ahead of UFC 315 when an Australian restaurant announced that he was hosting a fundraiser to help cover travel expenses for his team. But in recent reporting from MMA Fighting‘s Damon Martin, Maddalena hosted the fundraiser for a different cause, and was caught off guard by the restaurant’s social media statements.
As of this writing, Maddalena and his team aren’t in financial turmoil ahead of UFC 315, and his full team is expected to be on hand to watch his welterweight title fight. If he’s victorious, he’ll become the latest DWCS graduate to hoist a UFC title, joining the ranks of Sean O’Malley and Jamahal Hill.
Muhammad has labeled Maddalena’s style as ‘basic’ ahead of UFC 315, hinting at Maddalena’s recent struggles in grappling situations. But he’s expected to give Muhammad some challenges on the feet in their upcoming title clash.
Maddalena and Muhammad are ready to put on a show at UFC 315. And if recent days are an indicator of what’s to come, expect fireworks in Montreal.
