Belal Muhammad, already known as “The Bully,” is looking to add another dimension to his fighting identity. In the main event of UFC 315 against Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion intends to highlight one of his less-recognized skills – his boxing prowess – hoping it might even earn him a new moniker.
While widely acclaimed for his relentless pressure, exceptional cardio, and conditioning, Muhammad constantly strives to enhance his skill set. Although he’s refining all aspects of his game for his initial title defense, he admits that showcasing his improved striking is a significant goal.
“Lately, especially in my recent fights, I`ve been focusing heavily on my hands,” Muhammad shared. “I`ve been incorporating that `Canelo Alvarez` style of boxing. I want to truly test it in this fight and have a moment where I can confidently declare myself the best boxer in the UFC, the best boxer in the welterweight division.”
He added, “The critics will keep doubting and questioning our progress, but we just keep evolving and improving.”
It`s worth noting that Muhammad has previously spoken about his striking and compared his boxing to the renowned multi-time champion Canelo Alvarez, claims often met with skepticism from fans.
However, Muhammad remains unfazed by such reactions. As the UFC`s top welterweight, he sees his primary role as being fully prepared to counter whatever unique threats any opponent presents.
His upcoming adversary, Della Maddalena, is recognized as a potent knockout artist with formidable power in both hands. This characteristic often prompts opponents to avoid prolonged stand-up exchanges.
Muhammad acknowledges Della Maddalena`s striking threat and states he will not shy away from engaging on the feet. Yet, he suggests that his opponent lacks the same confidence across other facets of the fight.
“When preparing for a fight, you naturally analyze your opponent`s weaknesses,” Muhammad explained. “My strategy involves addressing those and leveraging my strengths. I believe I can defeat him in multiple ways – I can out-strike him, out-kickbox him, or even out-wrestle him if needed. I have various paths to victory. In contrast, he seems to have only one clear path: securing a knockout.”
“He won`t out-last me, out-work me, out-muscle me, or out-grapple me,” Muhammad asserted. “This is why I constantly focus on becoming the best version of myself. I don`t dwell on my opponent; instead, I reflect on my last performance, identify areas for improvement, and strive to present an upgraded version of myself. That`s my plan for this fight.”
Muhammad`s initial preparation for his first title defense was against the undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, a matchup where Muhammad was the underdog.
Unfortunately, Rakhmonov suffered an injury, preventing him from competing in the earlier timeframe. Della Maddalena stepped in as the replacement, altering the betting odds for Muhammad.
He is now favored to win, but Muhammad insists that regardless of whether his opponent is Rakhmonov or Della Maddalena, his underlying mission remains unchanged.
“I rarely pay attention to the odds,” Muhammad commented. “I prefer to stay composed and concentrate purely on the task at hand. There will always be people labeling fights as `hard` or `easy` or suggesting simple strategies, but every fighter and every fight is distinct. Jack has been sidelined for over a year, and I`m sure he`s been developing new skills; he`ll present a different version of himself. However, I feel I am in the best physical and mental state I`ve ever been.”
“My excitement to compete is at an all-time high,” he continued. “The break I had when I couldn`t take the fight in December for six weeks truly revitalized me. It rekindled that initial hunger I felt when striving to reach this point – the drive to pursue this dream and capture the title. We are never content; we are always looking towards the next goal, the next challenge. Jack is that obstacle now, and I intend to overcome him decisively.”
To defeat Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Muhammad is preparing for every possibility, though he concedes that finishing the fight by knockout would be particularly satisfying and could help solidify that desired new nickname.
“Absolutely, that would mean a lot,” Muhammad stated. “Then, if I get that knockout finish, I might just change my name to `Canelo Boxing` or `Canelo Hands.`”
