UFC 315: Belal Muhammad v Jack Della Maddalena tips, predictions & odds

Adam Catterall previews the welterweight title bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.

Belal Muhammad v Jack Della Maddalena Tips

Muhammad to win By Decision @20/21

A lot of people are going to be referring to this as a last minute opponent but it isn't, Della Maddalena has had plenty time to prepare and it's a wonderful opportunity for the undefeated man from Down Under.

First up, though, the champion. Let's stop backing against him because he's been absolutely fantastic.

Muhammad is on a brilliant win streak and every problem that is presented to him, he figures out a way to solve it.

He beat Sean Brady brilliant with hands, he's now defeated Leon Edwards in not one but two ways - beating him on the feet and then wrestling the living daylights out of him to become the champion.

He wanted to take on Shavkat Rakhmonov in December but got injured due to an infection in his foot. He's had a little time out and the division has developed a little bit but Belal is absolutely the king and he is well worthy of the plaudits that come his way.

What's the challenge in front of him? Well Della Maddalena is initially a striker, but he has been working tirelessly on that grappling game.

Can Jack keep the fight on the feet? If he does, it becomes interesting because I fancy him on the feet.

I think he's a really good striker, he's aggressive and I think he has the ability to push Belal backwards, but it's a lot easier said than done because Belal's grappling is top class. He's relentless, he's like a concrete blanket and I think he will be all over Jack from the get-go.

As I have said, I am sick of backing against Belal. I have done it too many times and I'm not going to rule him out this time even though I think Della Maddalena is a worthy opponent for this main event.

I am going for 'and still...' and I think Belal is going to do it via a Decision over 25 minutes.

(All odds were correct and available at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal and fluctuation).

Adam Catterall

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