Belal Muhammad, already recognized by his moniker “The Bully,” intends to highlight a less-celebrated aspect of his skill set when he faces Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315. He hopes this will add another dimension to his fighter identity.
Widely known for his persistent pressure and exceptional endurance, the reigning welterweight champion has dedicated significant effort to expanding his offensive tools. While he`s enhanced various skills for his initial title defense, Muhammad admits that demonstrating his striking prowess is a primary objective.
Muhammad stated, “For my part, especially over the last couple of fights, I`ve been concentrating a lot on my hands. I`ve incorporated `Canelo` [Alvarez`s] style of boxing. I`m eager to put it to the test. I want that moment where I can confidently declare, `This shows why I`m the best boxer in the UFC, the best in the welterweight division.`”
He added, “All the doubters will continue to criticize, they`ll keep wondering how we keep achieving results. But we are constantly developing and getting better.”
Muhammad has indeed spoken about his striking abilities in the past, likening his boxing to that of multi-division boxing champion Canelo Alvarez, although such claims have frequently been met with derision from fans.
However, Muhammad isn`t overly concerned by the skepticism. As the top welterweight in the UFC, he understands that being prepared for whatever any opponent brings is part of the job.
His upcoming opponent, Della Maddalena, is recognized as a potent knockout artist possessing serious power in both hands. This fighting style often compels rivals to minimize stand-up exchanges.
Muhammad is fully aware of Della Maddalena`s striking threat and guarantees he will not shy away from trading blows. However, he questions his opponent`s capabilities in nearly every other facet of the fight.
“When you`re preparing for a fight, you naturally look for your opponent`s weaknesses,” Muhammad explained. “I strategize around those. For me, I have multiple ways to defeat him. I could outbox him, out-kickbox him, or outwrestle him if I choose. I know I possess these various paths to victory. For him, there seems to be only one primary path: winning by knockout.”
“He won`t outlast me. He won`t outwork me. He won`t outmuscle me. He won`t outgrapple me,” he asserted. “That`s why I constantly strive to be the best version of myself. I don`t focus heavily on him; instead, I consider what we did in the last fight, identify areas for growth, and aim to show an improved version of myself. That`s exactly my plan for this fight.”
Muhammad was initially preparing for his first title defense against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, a fight where he was expected to be the underdog.
Unfortunately, Rakhmonov suffered an injury that prevented him from competing in May, leading to Della Maddalena stepping in as the replacement. This change in opponent also shifted the betting odds.
Now favored to win, Muhammad maintains that his mission remains the same, regardless of whether he is facing Rakhmonov or Della Maddalena.
“I rarely look at the odds,” Muhammad commented. “I prefer to maintain an even keel and focus purely on the task at hand. There will always be people labeling fights as hard or easy, but every fighter is different, and every fight is different. Jack has been out for over a year, so I`m sure he`s been developing his skills and will come in as a different fighter. However, I am currently the best version of myself I`ve ever been. I feel better than ever.”
He continued, “My excitement to get in there and fight is on another level, especially after the time off when I couldn`t take that fight in December due to being sidelined for six weeks. It completely rejuvenated me. It brought back that feeling of hunger I had when I was striving to reach this point, chasing this dream, winning this title. We are never satisfied, so I`m always looking towards the next goal, the next challenge, and Jack is that obstacle. I need to finish him.”
To secure the win against Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Muhammad is ready for any scenario. However, he confesses that finishing the fight by knockout would be particularly meaningful, potentially leading to that desired new nickname.
“Absolutely, that would mean everything,” Muhammad affirmed. “If I get the knockout finish, I can finally change my name to `Canelo Boxing` or `Canelo Hands.`”
