Belal Muhammad was scheduled to make his first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmanov, but the bout has been canceled twice due to injuries on both sides. With Rakhmanov now sidelined again, Jack Della Maddalena has stepped in for UFC 315.
Although fan excitement around this matchup is relatively low, a top UFC welterweight star, Gilbert Burns, believes that Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena will be a much closer contest than most fans anticipate.
Burns believes ‘Remember the name’ is tough, smart, and in great shape with excellent cardio and a solid team. Additionally, the welterweight star calls JDM underrated, praising his powerful striking, sharp boxing, improved grappling, and elite training partners.
Burns thinks fans are underestimating JDM and now sees the fight as much closer than expected, even reconsidering his pick of Belal as the favorite. Talking to the MMA Junkie the Brazilian fighter said,
“I think Belal is going to struggle a lot in the striking. JDM is not going anywhere. That guy is going to stay there. I was taking Belal as a favorite, but I’m kind of changing. That fight is super, super close. Belal has the speed advantage for sure in the cardio, but JDM is a monster, too.”
The Brazilian fighter is hyping up this fight, having previously faced both competitors in the UFC. Additionally, many are backing the welterweight champion due to his strong cardio.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov Praises Belal Muhammad’s Cardio
Muhammad’s dominant cardio has earned high praise from UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who believes it’s his biggest weapon heading into UFC 315. After going five hard rounds to win the title against Leon Edwards, Belal proved he can maintain relentless pressure from start to finish. Reflecting on his style, Khabib said,
“I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal. If Maddalena or Shavkat dont finish him early, Belal is just going to keep pressing. His endurance is really good. In fact, I think it’s the most underrated aspect in MMA today.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Belal Muhammad's cardio is the most underrated aspect in MMA today:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 15, 2025
"I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal. If Maddalena or Shavkat dont finish him early, Belal is just going to keep pressing…
His endurance is really good. In fact, I think it's… pic.twitter.com/w6Zbe9UToI
Now, fans are set to witness the ultimate showdown at UFC 315, as welterweight champion Belal Muhammad prepares to defend his throne against Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, with both fighters bringing serious heat, the big question remains — can Muhammad hold onto his title? Only time will tell.
Also Read: UFC Fighter Opines Why Belal Muhammad Fight Is Crucial For The Lightweight Division
