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The welterweight division takes centre stage on May 10th as Belal Muhammad defends his title for the first time against the surging Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
With a contrasting clash of styles that brings uncertainty, the bout itself is compelling, yet much of the attention in fight week has shifted toward a brewing rivalry that doesn’t even involve the challenger.
UFC 315 Main Event Breakdown: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
Belal Muhammad enters the octagon with the confidence of a newly crowned champion after defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC 304 last year. Known for his smothering grappling and relentless pressure, Muhammad’s resume is proof of his grinding and calculated approach.
With 43 career takedowns (tied 8th all-time among welterweights), nearly 2,000 total strikes landed (6th all-time), and nearly 48 minutes of top control (3rd all-time), Muhammad is one of the division’s most effective control artists.
While his wrestling has long been his calling card, his boxing has become a lot smoother and more measured ever since he began to train with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team.
On the other side, Jack Della Maddalena is riding a wave of momentum with a perfect 7-0 UFC record, most recently defeating Gilbert Burns via KO/TKO.
Known for his fluid, creative striking, Della Maddalena lands 6.62 significant strikes per minute (3rd all-time among welterweights) and boasts a stellar knockdown average of 1.64 per 15 minutes – 4th in UFC welterweight history.
While he lacks the grappling credentials of the champion, the Australian’s 70% takedown defence and clever footwork suggest he’s no easy mark to get on the ground. His ability to slip shots and then rip counters to both body and head makes him a dangerous puzzle for anyone, especially if the fight stays on the feet.
MMA fans can expect a classic striker versus grappler battle, with Muhammad looking to level change and keep the Australian off balance, while Della Maddalena aims to control range and force scrambles that open up striking opportunities.
Stats courtesy of UFC official stats.
Unexpected Beef at UFC 315: Muhammad vs Former Champ Kamaru Usman
Surprisingly, much of the fight week buzz hasn’t come from trash talk between the headliners, but rather from a heated exchange between the current champ, Muhammad, and former champion Kamaru Usman.
The tension flared during a podcast episode which featured Henry Cejudo, Usman and Muhammad, where Muhammad recalled a sharp verbal back-and-forth:
https://twitter.com/ChampRDS/status/1919773873563685050?t=XHvgG_nbKqkEB3EuiufOgA&s=19
“He was like ‘anything you do I do better than you’. And then I was like ‘but you didn’t take the head kick better than me’. And I think that just triggered him. He was like ‘I don’t play these games man, it’s on sight’. On sight? We’re right in front of each other.”
The dust-up has sparked speculation about a potential showdown between the two down the line, especially if Muhammad retains his title. Usman has since claimed, in an interview with ESPN, that security may be required if the two cross paths backstage at UFC 315.
Tension rising! Usman says security would be required if he sees Belal backstage.
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 6, 2025
@espnmma pic.twitter.com/HgJDDOraBo
For Muhammad, he needs to find a way to not let this be a potential distraction against a very game opponent in Della Maddalena. If “Remember The Name” isn’t 100% focused on the Australian challenger then he could be in for a very quick night.
More must-reads:
- Update surfaces on Joe Schoen's future with Giants
- How Steelers' Aaron Rodgers feels about being a villain for Bears fans
- The 'NFL single-game completions leaders' quiz
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