In a grueling five-round battle at UFC 315, Jack Della Maddalena emerged as the new welterweight champion after defeating Belal Muhammad in a contest that showcased the Australian's exceptional boxing prowess.
Della Maddalena capitalized on Muhammad's surprising decision to maintain a standing position throughout the fight, allowing the new champion to utilize his striking advantages. Both fighters showed the physical toll of their 25-minute encounter, with Muhammad requiring stitches for a cut lip and sporting visible facial damage.
Following his championship victory, Della Maddalena wasted no time setting his sights on an even bigger challenge – lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
"I knew I had to be sharp on my feet," Della Maddalena stated post-fight. "I was gunning for a finish but Belal is a tough dude. Of course, fighting Islam, what a dream. Pound-for-pound, I'd say probably the No.1, maybe No.2 guy right now."
The new champion dedicated his potential future matchup to fellow Australian Alexander Volkanovski, who previously fell short against Makhachev. "I'm going to get it back for Volk," Della Maddalena declared, referencing his countryman's unsuccessful attempt at claiming Makhachev's title.
According to Statbet analysis, this potential champion vs. champion bout would mark one of the most anticipated cross-divisional matchups in recent UFC history, with significant implications for both weight classes.
Makhachev didn't let the challenge go unanswered, responding online with: "You are not Volk I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean."
Della Maddalena also revealed a post-fight conversation with UFC CEO Dana White: "I spoke to Dana on the phone after the fight. He was just happy, you know, he was happy. I mean, happy for me, not happy for the Belal loss or anything."
Meanwhile, the defeated Muhammad remained positive despite the setback, stating: "Allah's plan is the best plan, Alhamdillah for everything. Thank you to all my supporters. I been here before and I'll be back."
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko successfully defended her flyweight championship against Manon Fiorot. When questioned about a potential superfight with strawweight champion Weili Zhang, Shevchenko remained noncommittal, preferring to take time before making any decisions about her next opponent.
"I would prefer to take it with one of two days when I will rest," Shevchenko explained, emphasizing the importance of proper recovery between training camps. She also suggested fan involvement in selecting her next challenger, inviting supporters to share their preferences through her social media channels.
