Instant classic! Jack Della Maddalena bloodies up Belal Muhammad to capture Welterweight gold | UFC 315

Catch live play-by-play results for this Welterweight title fight between new champion Belal Muhammad and surging knockout artist Jack Della Maddalena.

Andrew Richardson is a professional fighter who trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Calif., providing MMAmania.com (and its readers) with expert technical fighter breakdowns, insight and analysis you can't get anywhere else.

UFC Welterweight gold will be on the line in just a few moments.

Belal Muhammad more than lived up to his reputation as a perennial underdog and spoiler, largely dominating Leon Edwards in their grudge match title fight in July 2024 at UFC 304. On that night, Muhammad really leveled up, looking sharper than ever and primed for a dominant title reign. However, it’s also worth-noting that at 36 years of age, time isn’t exactly on his side.

Della Maddalena is eight years his junior, a definite member of the next wave of Welterweight contenders. The Aussie slugger is an interesting contender, one who has lost big moments and even rounds while on his rise without ever actually losing a fight. It’s a major step up in competition for the boxer, and we’ll find out shortly if the champion is too much, too soon.

Live updates will begin to flow below the moment the two fighters make their way to the Octagon ...

ROUND 1

After a quick glove touch during introductions, the athletes are ready to scrap! Della Maddalena works behind his straight punches early, and Muhammad answers with a powerful kick. A “JDM” right hand crashes into the chin, but Muhammad wears it well. “The Bully” lands a lovely double jab-right hand. A left head kick from Della Maddalena sneaks through the guard, and he follows with a hard right hand connection. The Aussie is flowing really nicely, but Muhammad doesn’t seem put off by his success. Sneaky uppercut connection from Della Maddalena. With 90 seconds left in the round, Muhammad takes a real shot. The takedown doesn’t land, but Muhammad scores well on the break. The two exchange wildly after a caught kick, bringing a close to a competitive round.

10-9 Della Maddalena

ROUND 2

Della Maddalena opens the second with kicks. Muhammad finds the home for his right hand then times a high kick well. Jab-jab-right hand scores flush for the Aussie. Della Maddalena teeping well to the body, then he jacks Muhammad’s jaw with a right. The champion has a serious chin! Della Maddalena touches the body with a cross and defends a takedown nicely. Muhammad lands a couple jabs, but the fight is escaping him. He goes hard for a double along the fence and gets it briefly, but Della Maddalena scrambles to freedom almost immediately. “The Bully” lands a cracking overhand. When he tries to press his advantage, he eats a counter shot.

10-9 Della Maddalena

ROUND 3

Della Maddalena is in the flow state, pushing and pulling to sting Muhammad. His head movement is working really well too, landing first and third often. Muhammad finds a good right hand, but he needs more aggression or successful takedowns if he’s going to take control of this fight. “JDM” is just poking Belal, touching him with long range shots at a solid clip. The power puncher isn’t swinging for the finish, and it’s paying off. Still, Muhammad is finding that jab a bit more this round. Just as Muhammad gets a bit of momentum, he walks into a heavy 1-2. Three consecutive left hands score for Della Maddalena on the counter. Muhammad goes back to the wrestling (finally) with seconds remaining, but he cannot pin the Australian down. It was a closer round, but ...

10-9 Della Maddalena

ROUND 4

Della Maddalena opens the fourth with kicks and lateral movement. Muhammad presses a bit harder, landing some clubbing hooks. The Australian challenger lands a NASTY three-punch combo that Muhammad takes right on the button. The champ answers with a clean 1-2! Muhammad lands a hard uppercut, but Della Maddalena cracks him with a check hook. Muhammad’s increased aggression is resulting in both men landing even harder shots than before. Muhammad goes to a double along the fence and finally gets it! He still can’t hold “JDM” down for long though. Muhammad nearly lands a head kick then scores with a jab. He goes back to the wrestling with short time remaining, and while he can’t take Della Maddalena down, he lands some good shots in the process.

10-9 Muhammad

ROUND 5

Della Maddalena sticks and moves well to open the fifth. Muhammad presses, ripping a body kick and inching “JDM” towards the fence. Double left hand connection from the Aussie. Della Maddalena lands a hard knee that cuts Muhammad, but “Bully” walks through it and lands a hard right hand. Muhammad times a double leg beautifully into top guard. Maddalena was stuck on bottom for a moment but used the x-guard to stand. JDM’s face is swelling badly, but he lands two elbows and a hard left hand. Della Maddalena sets his feet and tears up the body, hurting Muhammad with a right hand. The two end up in a wrestling scramble, and Muhammad lands on top. Della Maddalena frees himself and lands a big knee! Muhammad’s face is wrecked! Time is short, and Della Maddalena lands another ripping combination. It’s a miracle Muhammad didn’t hit the canvas at some point, but “JDM” really secured his title win in the final couple minutes (at least one my scorecard).

10-9 Della Maddalena

Official Result: Della Maddalena defeats Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

LIVE! Watch UFC 315 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

TWO TITLE TILTS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., May 10, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 315 from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In the main event, Welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, defends his title against striking sensation, Jack Della Maddalena (not Shavkat), in a thrilling five-round clash. UFC 315’s PPV co-main event features women’s Flyweight queenpin, Valentina Shevchenko, beginning her second reign against top-ranked contender, Manon Fiorot, in a high-stakes, five-round battle. UFC 315 also showcases a Bantamweight showdown between legend Jose Aldo and Aiemann Zahabi, as well as a women’s Flyweight bout pitting Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva and much more! UFC 315’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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