Belal Muhammad stands for a much different challenge in his first defending defense than when he won the UFC Welterweight title.
The UFC champion Welterwet won the Riem on UFC 304 in the home country of the former champion of England.
After the no-contest of Leon Edwards with Belal Muhammad years earlier, there was a lot of tension in the air in Manchester that evening.
Muhammad, however, won the fight after 5 rounds thanks to a unanimous decision by the judges. His first defense of the Welterweight World title is set for UFC 315 against the Australian hunter Jack della Maddalena.
While Muhammad is still cherishing in his impressive title victory, Della Maddalena is a much different hunter than Edwards and is someone he has to deal with in Canada.
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Jack della Maddalena is a tough striker where Belal Muhammad should be on
Muhammad needs a completely different skills if he wants to beat the unbeaten Della Maddalena compared to his victory over Edwards.
The Australian is a composed, powerful striker who likes to make a boxing match instead of bringing things to the mat.
His strengths are in the power and precision of his strikes, which is why he has a 70% KO/TKO finishing speed in his career to date.
Della Maddalena is not happy that the jury members let the winner choose. Of his 17 unbeaten fights, only 3 went all the full 15 minutes, with 12 fights ending by Ko.
Muhammad will want to pull him in a gripper and not try to surpass the unbeaten Australian if he still wants to walk from Canada as a champion.
Leon Edwards is a much different hunter than della Maddalena
This is in stark contrast to Edwards, who has won only 7 times via KO/TKO in his 27 career fights so far. He is long and technically, with a fighting style built on control of the game and not let his opponents dictate the fight.
He is an expert in keeping a distance from his opponent, using his BJJ Black Belt and Muay Thai training to use well in the Octagon. Edwards likes to stay calm and remotely pricking, compared to the more aggressive striking style of Della Maddalena.
55% of Edwards's fights were won by the decision of the judges, compared to 45% ending via KO or entry. He is happy to wear out his opponent for the whole fight, something that Della Maddalena will not be happy to do against Muhammad.
Muhammad was happy for a 25 -minute fight against Edwards on UFC 304, allowing him to control the pace and dismantle him over the five rounds.
Della Maddalena will be a completely different beast in Montreal, because Mohammed has to deal with one of the most impressive strikers in the UFC on 10 May.