The UFC’s welterweight division has a new king, and his name is Jack Della Maddalena.
Incoming champion Belal Muhammad entered the fight seeking his first title defense, but would run into a stiff challenge in the form of a highly confident Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC). The welterweight title fight served as the main event of UFC 315 at Bell Centre in Montreal. After the final horn sounded, Della Maddalena was declared the new champion unanimously with 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 scores over Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC).
Della Maddalena came forward early, putting pressure on the champ as he landed combinations while the crowd chanted in his favor. After studying his opponent’s movements, Muhammad began to open up his offense. Della Maddalena appeared very comfortable on his feet, and grew in confidence after stopping Muhammad’s first takedown attempt.
Striking exchanges unfolded early in Round 2, with both fighters connecting with clean offerings. Della Maddalena found a home for a hard right hand that turned Muhammad’s head, but the champ ate it and continued to come forward. Della Maddalena stifled another takedown attempt, but Muhammad landed nicely on the exit. Still feeling good, Della Maddalena had some fun with a few spinning strikes in the closing seconds of the round.
A beautiful combination from Della Maddalena started Round 3. As the round progressed, Muhammad chased the challenger all over the octagon, but was met with quick jabs and the occasional two-punch combo. It wasn’t all one-way traffic, but Muhammad was unable to land anything of significance to change the tone of the fight.
In the fourth round, Muhammad dedicated himself to more takedown attempts. The champ pushed forward with urgency, looking to get the fight to the ground. This caused a few heated exchanges, but it was clearly Muhammad’s best round, even though he was on the receiving end of a share of clean strikes.
With just five minutes to go and the fight on Della Maddalena’s side, Muhammad turned up the pressure more than before. This created some heated moments of hard striking exchanges, where it seemed like the fight could end at any moment. Muhammad was finally able to complete a takedown with over three minutes to work. After landing some ground and pound, Della Maddalena exploded back to his feet and resumed landing sharp strikes, putting Muhammad on wobbly legs.
Della Maddalena went for a takedown but was reversed, allowing Muhammad to get off some more offense on the ground momentarily. However, the fight would return to standing, where Della Maddalena would close out his championship-winning performance by pressing on the gas until the final horn.
Coming in to the fight, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s next move would be determined by the outcome of this main event. If Della Maddalena emerged with the title, Makhachev would come up from lightweight to challenge for a second title.
Daniel Cormier asked Della Maddalena about that potential champion vs. champion fight, and the Australian said he would welcome the challenge as an opportunity to avenge Alexander Volkanovski’s losses.
“I think it’s a beautiful challenge,” Della Maddalena said. “He’s pound-for-pound No. 1. I’m gonna get it back for Volk.”
Della Maddalena becomes a UFC champion in his eighth fight with the promotion, an opportunity that was earned after a win over Gilbert Burns, and the circumstance of No. 1 contender Shavkat Rakhmonov being unable to compete against Muhammad.
Muhammad leaves Montreal without the title he won in July by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304. The result also marked Muhammad’s first loss since a unanimous decision against Geoff Neal in January 2019, ending a 10-fight winning streak, which also included a no contest against Edwards.
Full UFC 315 results
- Jack Della Maddalena def. Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
- Valentina Shevchenko def. Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
- Aiemann Zahabi def. Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Natalia Silva def. Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Benoit Saint Denis def. Kyle Prepolect via submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:35
- Mike Malott def. Charles Radtke via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:26
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Jessica Andrade via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:40
- Modestas Bukauskas def. Ion Cutelaba via split decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)
- Navajo Stirling def. Ivan Erslan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
- Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:27
- Daniel Santos def. Jeong Yeong Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Bekzat Almakhan def. Brad Katona via KO (punch) – Round 1, 1:04