In a thrilling main event at UFC 315 held in Montreal, Jack Della Maddalena emerged victorious over Belal Muhammad, securing the welterweight title by unanimous decision. This victory marks a significant milestone in Della Maddalena's career, as he becomes the new champion at 170 pounds, showcasing his impressive skills in a match that many are already considering for Fight of the Year honors.
From the opening bell, both fighters displayed their determination, bypassing the typical feeling-out process. Della Maddalena unleashed a barrage of strikes, landing 23 significant strikes compared to Muhammad’s 16 in the first round. Despite Muhammad's efforts to take control with a takedown attempt, the round primarily featured striking exchanges that kept the fight standing.
The second round saw a pivotal moment as Della Maddalena narrowly avoided a potentially dominating takedown by Muhammad. This crucial reversal shifted the fight's momentum in Della Maddalena’s favor, forcing Muhammad to adopt a more defensive stance for the remainder of the round. Della Maddalena's strategic body shots began to wear on Muhammad, setting the stage for an intense battle.
Round four was a display of grit and tenacity from both fighters. Della Maddalena targeted Muhammad’s body with precise strikes while Muhammad aimed for headshots, resulting in a back-and-forth exchange that thrilled the crowd. Despite Muhammad securing his first takedown of the match, Della Maddalena quickly turned the tide, pinning Muhammad against the cage, intensifying the fight's stakes.
The fifth round kicked off with both fighters delivering powerful blows, each visibly shaken in the early moments. Muhammad managed a strong takedown, but Della Maddalena displayed his resilience by returning to his feet almost immediately. After delivering a stiff shot that wobbled Muhammad, Della Maddalena pressed his opponent against the fence, but Muhammad countered by dragging the fight back to the mat. The round concluded with both fighters trading heavy punches, leaving the decision in the hands of the judges.
With this victory, Della Maddalena improves his professional record to 18-2 and extends his winning streak to an impressive 18 fights. His last losses occurred in his initial two professional MMA bouts back in 2016. Meanwhile, Muhammad, who became welterweight champion by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, ends his reign without a successful title defense, dropping his record to 24-4 with one no contest.
After a series of setbacks, including a foot infection that forced Muhammad to withdraw from a scheduled bout against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, Della Maddalena seized the opportunity to step in and claim the title. As the new champion, Della Maddalena now faces a plethora of formidable challengers, including Rakhmonov, who boasts an impressive record with 18 finishes in 19 wins. Other rising contenders like Sean Brady, Ian Machado Garry, and Joaquin Buckley are also poised to challenge for the title, signaling an exciting new era in the welterweight division.
Jack Della Maddalena's victory at UFC 315 not only crowns him as the new welterweight champion but also sets the stage for thrilling matchups ahead. With a diverse pool of challengers lining up, fans can anticipate an electrifying future in the 170-pound division.
