Belal Muhammad deviated from his grappling-focused game plan during his UFC 315 fight against Jack Della Maddalena, opting to engage in striking, which led to a unanimous decision loss, but he remains confident in his abilities and determined to reclaim the welterweight title.
Belal Muhammad didn’t stick to the game plan. Earlier this month, he lost the UFC welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Despite his grappling prowess, Muhammad promised fans he’d bring “Canelo hands” to the fight. Many thought it was just talk, but he engaged in a striking battle with "JDM." On Friday, Muhammad confirmed that wasn’t the original plan.
“I think I have the best team in the world,” Muhammad said on Remember the Show. “Our strategy was to take down Jack, not go blow-for-blow.” Yet, in the heat of the moment, things changed. “My striking has grown so much. I felt good out there,” he added. Despite some success on his feet, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Muhammad doesn’t regret his decision. “I always thought I was the best in the world,” he said. “I went against the game plan, and I’m going to live with that.” He believes the fight could’ve swung on one round or exchange. Was the plan wrong? Maybe. But he loves to fight.
This loss broke Muhammad’s 11-fight unbeaten streak, his first defeat since 2019. It knocked him out of the title picture, but he’s confident one good win will get him back in line. “I’m one fight away from winning the belt,” he asserted. He’s ready to face top contenders and prove himself again.
Looking at the division, Muhammad sees potential matchups with Kamaru Usman, Ian Garry, or Sean Brady. At nearly 37, he views this loss as a minor setback. “I still have that hunger,” he said. He’s chasing legacy, inspired by fighters like GSP who regained their titles. “We’re still here,” he declared, undeterred by age or critics.