It’s only a day before MMA’s premier return to Canada, yet the tensions are already getting higher. Which isn’t necessarily surprising as when two UFC Welterweight fighters are in one room, then things are expected to be filled with testosterone fueled drama.
The headliners for UFC’s 315, Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, were at a press conference yesterday. Strangely, incidents remained peaceful and civil until then. The fighters had the usual UFC staredown gimmick, but Maddalena stood in a fight stance. Muhammed was not a fan of his outstretched position so he brushed his rival’s fist out of his face. Dana White and UFC Security swooped in to prevent a potential brawl. The two fighters later stared down again, but this time it was calm, although White still kept a close eye on both of them.
And who wouldn’t? Belal Muhammad is the reigning champion of the Welterweight division. The Palestinian-American has a record of 24 wins and 3 losses in MMA. He is known for his aggressive pressure style: his strikes and takedowns often move his opponents to the cage wall. He’s making sure tomorrow why he wants naysayers to “remember the name”.
Jack Della Maddalena is the opposite – his eyes infatuated with the pursuit of gold. Hailing from Australia, the fighter has 12 of his 17 wins by knockouts. He’s also known for having a pressure oriented style but zeroes in on body shots and an impeccable finishing ability. The Switch Hitter is fierce with combos, often letting his right hook initiate.
So yes, it’s completely understandable why Dana White watched them closely in their stare down. Both of these guys are aggressive, and pressure oriented, so all bets can be off in terms of who wins. However, we’ll find out in UFC 315 at 10 PM ET on ESPN+. Stay tuned!
