Belal Muhammad is highly confident he will successfully defend his welterweight title at UFC 315 by stopping his first challenger, Jack Della Maddalena.
While Muhammad has experienced knockout defeats previously, the reigning champion has shown considerable enhancement in his striking abilities.
Many observers predict Jack Della Maddalena will have the upper hand in striking exchanges thanks to his boxing prowess, but the champion disagrees.
Muhammad`s wrestling has been a key factor in his dominance over elite strikers in the welterweight division (170 pounds). However, having previously likened his stand-up skills to boxing star Canelo Alvarez, `Remember the Name` intends to secure only his third UFC victory by strikes when he main events the event at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Belal Muhammad predicts knockout with an overhand after forcing opponent to wrestle
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Belal Muhammad offered a detailed prediction for how their fight on May 10 will unfold.
The champion anticipates his opponent being surprised in the initial round as he starts losing the striking battle, creating panic for Jack Della Maddalena and his corner.
Muhammad believes his advantage will be so clear that Della Maddalena will be forced to abandon his original plan and attempt to outwrestle the 36-year-old champion.
Belal Muhammad detailed his prediction, stating, “Second round, he’s going to come out and shoot a takedown on me. I’m going to sprawl, then I’m going to look at him and laugh. Then I’m going to look at DC [Daniel Cormier] and do the Max Holloway, ‘I’m the best boxer in the UFC’.”
As Muhammad maintains the pressure, he predicts Della Maddalena will become even more desperate to take the fight to the ground, which Muhammad believes will open up opportunities for him to land significant strikes.
He continued, describing the predicted finish: “Then I’m going to hit him with a couple more hands. Then, he’s not going to know what to do again, so he’s going to shoot another single leg. I’m going to turn, throw him off the fence, hit him with a body shot. He’s going to drop. I’m going to look at him, point to him, tell him to stand up. The ref’s going to tell me like, ‘Yo, we need action here’. Then I’m going to faint the jab to the body and go overhand and then he’s going to drop.”
Belal Muhammad`s Striking Prowess Key at UFC 315, Regardless of Knockout
While Belal Muhammad did secure a TKO victory over Sean Brady at UFC 280, the welterweight champion isn`t primarily known for devastating knockout power, despite his improved boxing.
Jack Della Maddalena may possess more inherent striking danger, but Muhammad demonstrated in his recent bouts how effectively he uses his stand-up game to disrupt opponents.
For instance, technical and accurate striker Leon Edwards struggled to find his rhythm or create space to effectively utilize his striking in their fight last July.
Combined with his feints and level changes, Muhammad`s relentless pressure ensures his opponents are constantly reacting, preventing them from initiating their own offense.
Rupert Hartwell 
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