Relive the action from the highly anticipated main event of UFC 315 featuring Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.
The fight took place on May 10th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Belal Muhammad entered the contest with a record of 24-4 (1 no-contest), facing Jack Della Maddalena, who held a record of 18-2. This welterweight clash served as the headline bout for the event, broadcast live on pay-per-view.
Official Result: Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 48-47 (twice) and 49-46 in favor of Della Maddalena.
Fight Description: Round by Round
Round 1
The referee overseeing the main event was Jason Herzog.
As expected, Della Maddalena immediately pushed forward, using his jab to test Muhammad. He landed a right hand and followed up with a glancing right. Muhammad responded effectively with his jab, and they exchanged jabs. Muhammad landed a significant overhand right.
Muhammad connected with a straight left. Della Maddalena attempted a head kick which drew a reaction and landed a right hand down the center, along with an outside leg kick.
Della Maddalena landed a left hand. With under 90 seconds left, Muhammad initiated his first takedown attempt, which Della Maddalena successfully defended. Muhammad managed to land a punch off the break. Muhammad landed a good jab followed by a right hand and attacked the body. They then engaged in heavy exchanges, with Della Maddalena landing a hard uppercut that Muhammad absorbed.
Round 2
Muhammad`s jab helped manage distance early in the round. He connected with a right hand. Della Maddalena remained composed but allowed Muhammad opportunities to score. The champion showed a noticeable increase in activity.
Muhammad landed a quick 1-2 combination. Della Maddalena landed a right hand as Muhammad circled away from his power side. Muhammad demonstrated good hand speed. Della Maddalena threw and landed a lead right hand, followed by another effective right. Muhammad ripped a kick to the body.
Muhammad attempted a step-in uppercut. While not backing down from striking with Della Maddalena, JDM appeared to be slightly more effective on the feet. Della Maddalena punched the body, prompting Muhammad to answer with a body kick. Muhammad landed a sneaky right hand.
Muhammad changed levels for a takedown attempt at a similar time as in the previous round. Della Maddalena stuffed the attempt, maintaining perfect takedown defense.
Della Maddalena landed a short left and a body punch, but Muhammad countered with a stiff right. Della Maddalena connected with a straight left. They exchanged jabs and strikes. Della Maddalena attempted a wild spinning kick.
It was a highly engaging round.
Round 3
Della Maddalena started the round with an accurate low kick and a jab. He landed a big right hand as Muhammad was pressured against the fence. The champion responded with a couple of solid punches. Muhammad landed a jab.
Della Maddalena used several jabs, inviting Muhammad to engage. Muhammad landed a good jab and a 1-2 combination, looking sharp on the feet momentarily. Della Maddalena`s jab also scored consistently. Muhammad`s striking defense seemed questionable at times.
Another right hand connected for Della Maddalena. Muhammad`s striking performance was not poor, but his infrequent takedown attempts were puzzling. Muhammad pressed forward but walked directly into a straight punch from Della Maddalena. Della Maddalena landed a left hook and a couple of straight lefts. Muhammad applied pressure and attempted a late takedown as seconds remained, but could not secure it. Della Maddalena surprisingly reversed the position and attempted a takedown himself.
Round 4
Muhammad sought to pressure but again absorbed a right hand. Muhammad landed a left hook. Della Maddalena landed a solid combination that tested Muhammad`s chin. Muhammad countered with a 1-2. Della Maddalena caught Muhammad with a right hook as he circled. Muhammad closed the distance, landed an uppercut, and attempted a takedown, but Della Maddalena`s balance prevented it.
Both fighters exchanged strikes, and Muhammad absorbed numerous clean punches. Muhammad finally succeeded in securing a takedown, bringing Della Maddalena to one knee. Muhammad landed a timely knee strike. Della Maddalena executed a methodical grappling defense, working back to his feet and turning Muhammad against the cage.
Muhammad landed a head kick followed by a good jab. He had higher volume, but Della Maddalena appeared to be consistently landing the more powerful shots. The potential judges` scorecards seemed difficult to predict.
Della Maddalena successfully defended another takedown attempt. Muhammad went for a body lock, but Della Maddalena shrugged him off. Muhammad landed a jab, which Della Maddalena answered with a counter right hand.
Round 5
Even though unofficial scoring in commentary heavily favored Della Maddalena, multiple rounds were close. Della Maddalena could not be entirely sure of the outcome, and Muhammad still had an opportunity to influence the decision with a strong finish. A stoppage from either fighter would have eliminated any potential scoring controversy.
Muhammad displayed his impressive endurance by applying relentless pressure. However, Della Maddalena continued to land strikes, which diminished the effectiveness of Muhammad`s forward movement.
Della Maddalena landed two more punches, but Muhammad connected with a right hand that clearly affected him. Muhammad went for a deep takedown. Della Maddalena attempted to scramble, but Muhammad finally managed to establish an effective top position in his opponent`s half guard.
Muhammad landed several strikes from top position before Della Maddalena worked his way back to his feet with just over two minutes remaining. The fight returned to the striking exchange.
Della Maddalena landed a lead elbow; Muhammad remained undeterred, so Della Maddalena landed another. Della Maddalena landed a precise left hand and seemed to be actively seeking a finish, forcing Muhammad to clinch in order to slow the attack.
Muhammad executed a significant throw, but Della Maddalena continued to fight and scramble immediately. Muhammad landed punches as Della Maddalena regained his footing. It was a frantic final round.
Della Maddalena continued throwing punches, pursuing a finish. Muhammad demonstrated an exceptionally durable chin.
Based on the live commentary throughout the fight, the unofficial scoring indicated a potential dominant performance for Della Maddalena (50-45).
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely