The upcoming clash between title holder Belal Muhammad and challenger Jack Della Maddalena is certainly one that is helping to drive increased interest in the welterweight division, and it’s a fight that could also see Maddalena become the second Australian to hold a UFC crown, which would be a first for the country.
Interestingly, the other Australian, Alexander Volkanovski, started his UFC career in that weight category before switching to featherweight, having also spent a spell as a lightweight in the sport, and is now a two-time UFC Featherweight champion.
The clash between Muhammad and Maddalena is creating a great deal of buzz and is the lead fight on the card of an enticing UFC 315 lineup. Fans who want to back their fighter with a bet can help their chances of securing a payout by taking a look at the key info here relating to the best sports betting app options out there.
In terms of who may come out on top in this titanic struggle, unsurprisingly, Maddalena believes he has what it takes to wrestle the title from Muhammad with ease.
“Yeah, I think I would put him down, you know,”
“Pretty early really – done in one. No doubt.”
“I can finish this in a round, definitely, I believe I’ve got the power, I’ve got the striking acumen to take him out of there.”
“So it’s definitely possible. And I actually think it’s meant to be. I think ‘done in one’ would be a real good way to start the championship run”. He added.
Some of those comments came after UFC 305, and he has, in more recent days, dialled things back a tad.
“While I am expecting Belal to go five rounds – and I’ve put the work in for five hard rounds – if the opportunity presents itself in round one, I’m going to take it.
Clearly, it is in the DNA of any UFC fighter to predict they’ll get the win in super quick explosive fashion, indeed it would be weird if anyone said they would struggle to complete the win and would only get it over the line with a unanimous decision, but in all honesty this clash is a very even one, which is why it is such an enticing prospect.
Some have predicted that if Maddalena were to win, then Islam Makhachev would look to come up a weight to meet up, with the aim of taking down another Australian, having done so with Alexander Volkanovski, not once, but twice.
That’s an encounter Maddalena is also keeping an eye on.
“If Islam does decide after my win that he wants to move up immediately, it’s a great fight and you certainly couldn’t deny him that opportunity.”
“Not after what he’s done. Plus, there is already a good storyline there with him having fought Volk a couple of times.”
“And I actually think Volk beat him the first time around. So that would be a big fight and I’d love to do it in Australia.”
Hold on, Jack, there’s first the small matter of beating Belal, who hasn’t lost since 2019.
