Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight standouts Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena will clash TONIGHT (Sat., May 10, 2025) inside Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at UFC 315.
Muhammad has built up a really incredible win streak to become champion — there’s no other way for a “boring” fighter to receive a shot at gold. It’s worth-noting, however, that Muhammad caught many of his name opponents on their way out. His title win over Leon Edwards was an exception, but after that Sean Brady beatdown?
Maybe not.
Della Maddalena — Australia’s 28-year-old knockout artist — is an opportunity to refute that trend and turn away a member of the next generation. “JDM” is still a relatively new face in the Octagon, but he’s been quick to make a strong impression with five post-fight bonuses in seven fights! He may not have the hype of Shavkat Rakhmonov, but this is an undeniably dangerous contender.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena Betting Odds
- Belal Muhammad victory: -185
- Belal Muhammad via TKO/KO/DQ: +800
- Belal Muhammad via submission: +800
- Belal Muhammad via decision: +115
- Jack Della Maddalena victory: +154
- Jack Della Maddalena via TKO/KO/DQ: +300
- Jack Della Maddalena via submission: +2000
- Jack Della Maddalena via decision: +550
- Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
How Muhammad Wins
Muhammad deserves a ton of credit for improving so much late in his career. His stand up is still a bit awkward, but his combination punching was undoubtedly better in his title shot versus “Rocky” than at any point prior. Meanwhile, working with Khabib and Co. has clearly been a massive boon to his offensive wrestling and grappling.
Muhammad has two go-to strategies. Sometimes, he uses his footwork to maintain distance, allowing him to outpoint opponents who can’t quite get to him. Other times, he’s marching forward and putting his foes on the fence to set up his wrestling in classic “Bully” style.
This match up versus “JDM” calls for a mix of both. Muhammad obviously wants this fight to take place on the canvas, but he doesn’t want to march into the pocket and trade with the younger, more powerful boxer. This isn’t like the Leon Edwards fight — Della Maddalena won’t just back off in the face of pressure.
Instead, Muhammad can use his footwork and kicks to score points and frustrate the Australian. If and when Della Maddalena ups the aggression in response, Muhammad can wrestle reactively or look to pivot around his foe and catch him with his back to the fence.
How Della Maddalena Wins
“JDM” throws great combinations and has a particular aptitude for body work. Perhaps the most notable part of his game is his instinct for creating massive connections, as he definitely strikes with the fluidity of a confident knockout artist.
He’s also a BJJ black belt with a 70 percent takedown defense rate.
Della Maddalena has to break Muhammad down here. He can’t rely on one punch power or the flying knee to bail him out like in the Gilbert Burns match up. From the first bell, Della Maddalena has to be capitalizing on any close quarter exchanges by ripping Muhammad’s rips and taking away that infamous cardio edge.
Another real focus for Della Maddalena has to be on shutting down the initial takedown attempt. “JDM” does really good work in scrambling up from takedowns, but he can be a little lazy in letting his opponent onto his hips. Against such top-notch control and raw physical strength, Della Maddalena has to work harder to deny the initial shot, rather than work his way out of bad positions once they happen.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena Prediction
UFC 315’s main event is a difficult one to call, a pick ‘em in my eyes.
On the side of Muhammad, there are many advantages. He’s more well-rounded, much more battle-tested at the elite level, and is very much built for success in 25-minute fights. Simultaneously, Muhammad is not a finisher, meaning he has no way to avoid being stuck in the cage for the full five rounds with an opponent who can hurt him.
Meanwhile, “JDM” has the edge in youth and knockout power, but he may be too inexperienced for it to matter. He was controlled for significant portions of the fights against the aforementioned Burns and Bassil Hafez in large part due to his own decision-making. If he gives Muhammad those same opportunities, he’s going to end up frustrated and behind on the cards in short fashion.
Ultimately, I’ll lean Della Maddalena. Muhammad has always felt like a beatable fighter even while on his rise, but for a moment, the Edwards victory changed that perception. He was on fire that night and definitely seemed to level up. After Brady did the same thing in much more effortless fashion, however, it’s easier to believe those same flaws still exist.
Muhammad is going to give the Aussie opportunities, and I think Jack Della Maddalena has the killer instinct to capitalize. Finishing Muhammad will be difficult, but knock downs definitely steal rounds.
Prediction: Jack Della Maddalena via decision
LIVE! Watch UFC 315 PPV On ESPN+ Here!
TWO TITLE TILTS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., May 10, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 315 from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In the main event, Welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, defends his title against striking sensation, Jack Della Maddalena (not Shavkat), in a thrilling five-round clash. UFC 315’s PPV co-main event features women’s Flyweight queenpin, Valentina Shevchenko, beginning her second reign against top-ranked contender, Manon Fiorot, in a high-stakes, five-round battle. UFC 315 also showcases a Bantamweight showdown between legend Jose Aldo and Aiemann Zahabi, as well as a women’s Flyweight bout pitting Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva and much more! UFC 315’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).
Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 315 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).
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