Jack Della Maddalena is eager for a striking contest against Belal Muhammad, although he anticipates their upcoming title fight might not unfold in that manner.
Della Maddalena, an Australian fighter known for his striking prowess, is set to challenge Muhammad for the welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 315, scheduled for May 10 in Montreal, Canada. Having overcome an initial 0-2 record to achieve a 17-fight winning streak, Della Maddalena has become known for his knockout finishes.
Muhammad, in contrast, is not typically associated with striking-heavy battles. Della Maddalena suggests that fans could be in for a lackluster fight if the champion dictates the style.
“There’s no doubt his fighting style is boring,” Della Maddalena stated in an interview with Fox Sports Australia. “He’s effective at controlling opponents and securing wins. Credit to him for that. [Georges St-Pierre] faced similar criticism for a perceived boring style, simply because of his comprehensive skill set. He could neutralize strikers and outmaneuver grapplers, which is why he deserves recognition.”
“Personally, I find his style unexciting, but winning is clearly his top priority, and fair play to him. However, I believe I have the ability to defeat him. I am definitely the more dangerous fighter, and I am confident I can not only win the world title but do so with a dominant, stylish finish.”
Muhammad captured the welterweight title at UFC 304 last July, employing a dominant grappling strategy to secure a decision victory over Leon Edwards. While he has shown moments of striking in the past, Muhammad generally prefers to control his opponents on the ground rather than engage in prolonged striking exchanges.
Della Maddalena hopes Muhammad will consider engaging in a striking battle, at least initially.
“I think he’ll test the waters with striking, but then realize it’s safer to just focus on getting the win,” Della Maddalena speculated. “Given his competitive nature, he might try striking, but if he gets hurt, I expect him to revert to what he perceives as the most reliable path to victory.”
Recognizing that world champions are rarely one-dimensional, Della Maddalena is not dismissing any aspect of Muhammad’s skillset. However, he remains confident in his striking advantage.
“I think he is quick,” Della Maddalena commented. “But I wouldn’t describe his striking as dangerous. He relies on speed, and the threat of his takedown attempts likely enhances his striking effectiveness.”
Marcus Blakely