UFC 315 was headline by a welterweight title bout between champion Belal Muhammad and No. 5 ranked Jack Della Maddalena.
Muhammad captured the 170-pound by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 305 last July. Saturday was his first title defense. “Remember the Name” entered the octagon having not lost since January 2019.
Della Maddalena entered the championship bout riding an incredible 17-fight winning streak. After suffering two losses in his first two professional fights, Della Maddalena has been flawless. He last lost in May 2016.
Della Maddalena pressed forward to start the fight. Muhammad delivered a kick to the body. Della Maddalena connected with a right hand. They exchanged leg kicks. Muhammad connected with a counter left hand. Muhammad landed a clean right hand. He landed another one. Della Maddalena landed a left hand. He moved in the pocked and connected with a right hand. Della Maddalena landed a hard leg kick. He moved in the pocked with a left hand. Muhammad changed levels. Della Maddalena defended it but ate a right hand on the break. Muhammad connected with a counter right hand. He went to the body with a punch and a kick. An uppercut landed for Muhammad. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Muhammad.
Della Maddalena took the center of the cage to start the second round. Muhammad’s jab found a home and he partially landed a head kick. Della Maddalena responded with a right hand. Della Maddalena began delivering teep kicks to the body. He connected with a hard right hand. Della Maddalena circled and Muhammad circled with him. Muhammad landed a short left hand on the inside. Muhammad changed levels and worked for a takedown. Della Maddalena got to his feet immediately but was hit with a right hand. Muhammad stepped in the pocket with a right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round for Della Maddalena due to his output.
Della Maddalena moved forward in the third. Muhammad landed his jab. Della Maddalena landed a combination. He used head movement to avoid Muhammad’s jabs. Muhammad connected with a combination and Della Maddalena responded with a jab. They exchanged right hands. Muhammad’s jab landed but Della Maddalena answered with a right hand. Muhammad put together a combination followed by a kick to the body. Della Maddalena landed a clean right hand but Muhammad took it. Della Maddalena landed three punches while avoiding Muhammad’s shots with head movement. Muhammad closed the distance and looked for a takedown. Della Maddalena countered and looked for a takedown at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Della Maddalena.
They took the center of the cage to start the fourth. Muhammad inched forward. He pressured Della Maddalena and landed a right hand. Della Maddalena went to the body. Muhammad continued to press forward. Della Maddalena connected with a clean right hand. They exchanged jabs and Muhammad connected with a combination. Della Maddalena responded with a counter right had. Muhammad went on the offense. He ate several shots but landed as well. He worked for a takedown and slid behind Della Maddalena and nearly took his back. Della Maddalena remained standing and turned Muhammad. Muhammad disengaged and landed an uppercut. He went high with a kick that partially landed. Muhammad dove for a takedown but Della Maddalena show it coming. They clinched and Della Maddalena got free. He landed a right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Muhammad.
Della Maddalena’s corner told their fighter they they’re up on the scorecards. Muhammad’s corner told him that they needed to win this round and that the fight was close.
Muhammad pressured Della Maddalena in the fifth. They exchanged left hands. Della Maddalena landed a left. A knee opened up a cut under Muhammad’s left eye. He answered with a right had. Muhammad changed levels and took Della Maddalena down with just over three minutes remaining.
Muhammad worked in the half guard position and delivered short punches and elbows. Della Maddalena exploded in a scramble and got to his feet. Muhammad continued to apply pressure. Muhammad landed an elbow one the inside. Della Maddalena responded with a right. He landed a left. He had Muhammad hurt. Muhammad clinched. He threw Della Maddalena to the canvas. Muhammad landed in side control and delivered punches. Della Maddalena rolled and got to his feet. He landed a combination. Muhammad landed a right. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Della Maddalena but not confidently.
