Ahead of his scheduled bout against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, Jack Della Maddalena acknowledges the common interpretation of the fight as a striker-versus-grappler dynamic but is quick to dismiss such a simplistic view.
He feels that labeling the welterweight title match in such stark terms undervalues the comprehensive skill sets both competitors possess. Despite hearing much about Muhammad`s wrestling and endurance, Della Maddalena also notes Muhammad`s own claims of having elite boxing.
While respecting Muhammad`s capacity to win, Della Maddalena, the Australian power striker, is confident that he simply excels in all facets of the sport to a greater degree.
“He`s good at winning,” Della Maddalena commented when speaking to MMA Fighting (note: source removed as per instructions). “So he`ll revert back to just trying to win. Obviously, I don’t underestimate his striking, but I think I can get him on the feet and on the ground. I think I’m a better MMA fighter than him.”
He clarified his preference for the full ruleset: “I wouldn’t want to have a boxing match with him because I like MMA. I like the rule set. I like kicking. Kicking him and elbow him.”
Though Della Maddalena is known for his powerful striking, he recognizes Muhammad`s capability on the feet. Muhammad demonstrated this with a decisive knockout win over Sean Brady just three fights ago and has reportedly improved since. Therefore, Della Maddalena isn`t dismissing Muhammad`s standing game, but he doubts the champion will choose to spend significant time striking in the fight.
“I think his striking, it’s fast,” Della Maddalena stated. “He has a fast, awkward striking style. So it’s effective. Obviously, he’s not a very damaging guy just because he doesn’t put all his weight behind his shots. It seems like he just snaps them out there fast. He can touch you and then get on your hips so he’s a well-rounded guy.”
He predicts the flow of the fight: “Obviously the fight starts on the feet so I think he’ll come out and dip his toes a little bit. If he’s feeling comfortable, and his fast little flicking hands he thinks are landing, he might stay on the feet a little bit.. When he starts feeling uncomfortable, I think that’s when you see him start to revert back to his bread and butter.”
Muhammad`s primary strength, his grappling, combined with his ability to maintain a high pace for five rounds, has kept him undefeated for the past six years.
Della Maddalena holds great respect for these attributes, acknowledging that questions about his grappling defense are frequent, especially after facing a grappling-heavy strategy from Gilbert Burns in his last victory. Despite Burns` early success, the fight ended with Della Maddalena securing a devastating third-round knockout.
“I think I can stop the takedown,” Della Maddalena affirmed. “I’m comfortable on my back, and I think sometimes that’s not good for [MMA], it sometimes works to my detriment. Stop the takedown is what I need to do. I think that makes the fight easier for me.”
He discussed alternative scenarios: “If it hits the [ground], I’ve got ways of getting up. I’ll be able to attack him off my back but stopping the takedown will be the best route to victory. It will save me energy, and I can use that energy to bust him up.”
Despite Muhammad`s impressive ascent and ten-month reign as champion, he faces numerous critics. However, he consistently finds a way to win, a trait Della Maddalena clearly respects.
Like his opponent, Della Maddalena has built his career through dedicated effort and rarely speaks negatively about others, a pattern unlikely to change before Saturday`s fight. While kindness might be an exaggeration, Della Maddalena sees no need for trash talk purely to provoke Muhammad. Instead, he intends to let his performance in the fight deliver his message, with taking Muhammad`s title being the ultimate statement.
“I respect the resume for sure,” Della Maddalena stated. “He has had a very good career. Obviously a hard working guy, he’s put a lot of wins together, which isn’t easy, especially at this sort of level of fighters he’s fighting. I respect it.”
He concluded by emphasizing his fighting mindset: “No bad blood. I’m coming with vicious intentions. That’s the fight game.”
