The MMA world is alive with excitement as rivalries heat up, contenders make big claims, and one fighter’s personal grief transforms into a night of joy thanks to family. With UFC 315 approaching, the rivalry between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena has taken a personal turn, and fans are ready to see if the trash talk translates into dominance inside the Octagon. Meanwhile, in the featherweight division, an undefeated Russian contender is making headlines by challenging one of the division’s most explosive attackers.
In the UK, Leon Edwards is again in the spotlight, this time as a proud brother cheering on Fabian Edwards following a remarkable PFL knockout. This week’s headlines carry weight, from title fights to possible showdowns and viral events beyond the cage. Let’s get into the chaos and charisma that are now shaking up the MMA world, beginning with Belal Muhammad’s savage takedown of Maddalena—not in the cage, but in the war of words.
Belal Muhammad takes a brutal jibe at Jack Della Maddalena
Belal Muhammad has not held back in his verbal sparring with Jack Della Maddalena ahead of their title fight at UFC 315. What started out as a respectful matchup has devolved into a grudge, driven by Maddalena’s prediction of a first-round finish. The Australian contender, who earned his shot by defeating Gilbert Burns at UFC 299, has criticized Muhammad’s fighting style, calling it “boring” in a recent interview. That jab kindled a fire under ‘Remember The Name,’ and he wasted no time in clapping back.
Muhammad, who won the welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, dismissed Maddalena’s remarks and even made light of his speaking abilities. “I didn’t even know he could speak English,” Muhammad joked in an interview with MMA Junkie before accusing his opponent of lack of confidence. He pledged to “walk through” Maddalena, vowing that he would not only outstrike him but also mentally and physically destroy him.
February 13, 2021, Las Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, United States: Las Vegas, NV – February 13: Belal Muhammad interacts with media after the UFC 258 event at UFC Apex on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Las Vegas, Nevada United States – ZUMAp175 20210213_zsa_p175_020 Copyright: xDiegoxRibasx
He said, “And the result’s going to be inevitable. I’m going to walk through him, I’m going to break him, and then I’m going to show again the world why I’m the best in the world.” According to Muhammad, this title bout will make the Australian regret his decision to enter the spotlight. “I’m going to use my hands, break him physically, mentally. And, you know, he’s going to realize, ‘I should have just stayed lower in the rankings. I should have never accepted this. I should have stayed in Australia. I went on this long flight for no reason.”
New twist in the UFC’s featherweight division
Movsar Evloev has made it clear that if Yair Rodriguez wants another shot at Alexander Volkanovski, he would have to go through him first. The undefeated Russian challenger with a pristine 19-0 record isn’t convinced that Rodriguez deserves a title shot in the Dana White-led promotion after defeating UFC newcomer Patricio Pitbull. Despite criticism for his lack of finishes and unimpressive fighting style, Evloev believes his resume speaks for itself. Evloev’s domination stems from his relentless wrestling, which hasn’t exactly gained him a fan base but has resulted in nine consecutive UFC victories.
He expressed his displeasure with Rodriguez potentially skipping the line, claiming that Yair must “beat me first” to actually earn a title shot. He said, “He just came from two losses, and he beat the guy who just signed with UFC, and he think he deserves a title shot.” While Volkanovski acknowledged Evloev’s rise in the division, the featherweight title picture is still unclear—and tense. A prospective fight between Evloev and Rodriguez might end the debate once and for all. So, the ball is in Dana White‘s court now. So, all fighters involved would surely be interested in seeing what the head honcho of the promotion comes up with.
Leon Edwards’ viral reaction to brother Fabian’s PFL win
Leon Edwards may be coming off two consecutive losses, but he had reason to celebrate last week after his brother Fabian’s spectacular win at PFL 3. Fabian defeated former light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay in stunning fashion, driving the MMA world into a frenzy. As soon as the fight concluded, ‘Rocky’ stepped into the cage to embrace his younger brother in an emotional, viral moment that reminded fans of the Edwards family’s bond.
Despite his recent failures, including a submission loss against Sean Brady, Leon Edwards’ spirit appears to be improving. His most recent Instagram photo showed him back in the gym, with the message “Still HIM,” a subtle indication of his continued trust in his own recovery. According to his brother,’ Rocky’ is rebuilding and may return later this year. With both boys focused and working together, the Edwards family is preparing for redemption—and this time, momentum may be on their side. But what do you think? Will Edwards be able to bounce back stronger? Let us know in the comments.
The post MMA News Roundup – Belal Muhammad Trash Talks Before UFC 315; New Twist in Volkanovski’s Division; Leon Edwards’ Goes Viral After Brother Fabian’s PFL Win appeared first on EssentiallySports.