The UFC 315 main event is just hours away from going down, and the drama couldn’t be any higher around this event. Heading into the bout as the defending champion, looking to secure his first title defense, Belal Muhammad is going head-to-head against the challenger, Jack Della Maddalena, for the welterweight throne. As the fight day closes in, veterans have laid down their predictions for the bout, and one great of the sport who is famous for his dominance at the UFC’s 170-pound division, also shared his thoughts.
The Canadian MMA legend, and possibly the UFC’s greatest welterweight fighter to date, Georges St-Pierre‘s prediction could also be interpreted as advice to help both competitors fight their best fight. His prediction for the clash between Muhammad and Maddalena is tailored to a similar saying by GSP himself, which says, “Pressure. It breaks people — or it builds champions.”
“Belal, he brings always a very good forward pressure,” ‘GSP’ explained. “He’s very aggressive. Jack is very resilient. A lot of opponents that Jack has faced they got tired because they tried to finish him. But he’s very durable and he always comes back later. However, with Belal, it’s going to be very hard because Belal doesn’t get tired. So I think the odds favour Belal to win this fight.” The stylistic contrasts pointed out by St-Pierre had the fans double-checking their thoughts.
While favoring Muhammad to win the fight, ‘GSP’ heavily emphasized on the aspects where a danger striker like Maddalena can take advantages. For the welterweight maestro, its Maddalena’s durability against Muhammad’s pressure.
The former two-division (welterweight and middleweight) champion was able to give his deep insights through his years of experience in the octagon. But now, lets look at what a few top fighters had to say while picking their favorite to win the UFC 315 main event.
Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena: Top UFC welterweights make their pick
‘Bully B’ heading into this fight, in on a cloud-nine of confidence, so much so that he vocally underestimated his opponents striking, something Maddalena has built his reputation on. While predicting his victory, Muhammad said: “I’m gonna go in there, I’m gonna outbox Jack. I’m not gonna shoot one takedown, and I’m gonna show him the meaning of Canelo hands.” A statement that was rather quickly and largely doubted by the fans.
On the other hand, Maddelena hasn’t backed down from the verbal war as well, Adressing his prediction, hoping for a victory and claiming the 170-pound gold, Jack said: “I think I’m going to steamroll him. I can get the finish. That would be the icing on the cake—start my championship reign with a stoppage.”
“I think JDM poses a different threat than what Belal was expecting. It’s an intriguing fight. I don’t think it’s a landslide that Belal is going to win the fight. I think JDM presents a different threat than what Belal was expecting.” The former welterweight champion and the best 170-pounder of the modern era, Kamaru Usman knows what Belal brings to the octagon, he just thinks that ‘Remember The Name’ isn’t ready for what Maddalena brings to the octagon.
Then there is the No.1 contender to the welterweight throne, a man who we will soon see compete for the 170-pound gold, Sean Brady. While laying down his prediction for the fight, he said: “Man, you can’t bet against Belal [Muhammad]. He’s gone out there and proved that he can beat anybody in the world and he has. So, you have to admire that and you have to respect that.”
Both Brady and Muhammad, have one common enemy, this former welterweight champion is the fighter who both have beat to reach this highest point of their respective careers. Yes, its Leon Edwards. As the British striker talked about their clash, he predicted: “If I had to put money on it, I’d probably favor JDM. I feel like JDM, his boxing is what will probably shut him (Muhammad) down. And he’s a good anti-grappler, JDM. It’s easy to take him down, but his scrambles on the floor are good. I feel like Belal won’t be enough to hold him down for that long.”
With so much suspense and so many questions, and predictions, the only thing we want next is the clash between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. Who will come out as the victor when the curtains close on UFC 315? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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