UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad faces Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315. The fight will take place on Saturday night.
Muhammad, ranked number 10 in the pound-for-pound rankings, seeks his first title defense. On the other hand, Della Maddalena, ranked number 3 in welterweight, arrives undefeated in the octagon with seven consecutive victories.
Main Event Analysis: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena
Muhammad is a very complete fighter. He is strong, but doesn’t overdo it, and although he is not super fast, he is fast enough to connect punches. He will probably seek the grip with his wrestling, aware of Della Maddalena’s sharpness with his hands. If I were in his corner, I would tell Muhammad to work at a slightly greater distance and throw many kicks.
Dan Hardy, former UFC fighter
Della Maddalena is one of the first names that come to mind when talking about good boxing in MMA. He will need to find the space to use his hands without feeling that Muhammad will seek the takedown. He has a real finishing instinct, an advantage over Muhammad. He will have to maintain his fundamentals and if he does, he will present many problems to the champion.
Dan Hardy, former UFC fighter
The deciding factor could be Della Maddalena’s body shots, which could weaken Muhammad and hinder his takedown attempts.
Prediction: Unanimous decision victory for Muhammad.
Betting analysis:
Muhammad to win (-185). It’s time to bet on Muhammad. The biggest difference between these two is Muhammad’s cardio and wrestling. Della Maddalena has great striking and knockout power, but Muhammad dominated Leon Edwards with ease, and it’s hard to imagine this fight going differently.
Main Co-Event: Shevchenko vs. Fiorot
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko will defend her women’s flyweight title against Manon Fiorot.
Shevchenko can throw almost anything, and she has added a very good takedown game. Fiorot tends to lean to one side when pressured, looking for hook combinations, and that could lead to a head kick from the champion. Once she starts to gain momentum, she should stay one step ahead.
Angela Hill, UFC fighter
Fiorot is good at defensive striking. She can keep her opponents at bay with long combinations and kicks. If Shevchenko can’t fight for the five rounds, she will have a difficult night against the French fighter. Fiorot could defend takedown attempts and use her body kicks and distance striking to get the victory and become the new champion.
Angela Hill, UFC fighter
The decisive factor could be Shevchenko’s vast experience.
Prediction: Shevchenko by decision.
Betting analysis:
Fiorot to win (-135). Fiorot has an aggressive striking style. She is physically strong and has a great takedown defense.
Other Featured Bets
Men’s bantamweight: José Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Zahabi to win (+170). Aldo has become a low-volume striker, and can be controlled and held against the cage for long periods. Zahabi has a solid game plan.
Women’s Flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva
Silva to win by decision. Silva is extremely dangerous anywhere in the fight, and should have a speed advantage on the feet, which will pose problems for Grasso.
