Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad revealed he abandoned his team’s strategy during his championship bout against Jack Della Maddalena, opting to test his striking abilities instead of pursuing his wrestling advantage.
“Our strategy was to take down Jack. It wasn’t to go blow for blow with them, brawl for brawl with them,” Muhammad admitted. The decision ultimately proved costly as he relinquished his title in a closely contested matchup.
Muhammad explained that his improved striking skills gave him the confidence to stand with the Australian striker, despite his corner’s advice. “It’s a weird moment when you’re training something so much and you’re getting better at something, which I think my striking has grown so much,” he said.
The former champion’s confidence in his stand-up game had been building through his training camp. “When I was saying that in the lead up, I wasn’t lying about it. When I was like, ‘bro, I can box with them, I can strike with them,’ I went out there and I just felt good.”
This championship mindset may have contributed to his tactical decision. “You know, when they say there’s a different energy when you’re the champion and you gain 20% – for me, I always thought I was the best in the world. And I still think I’m the best in the world.”
The bout was competitive throughout, with Muhammad believing the outcome came down to fine margins. “It came down to one round, maybe one exchange that could have swayed the judges one way,” he reflected.
While acknowledging his deviation from the game plan might have cost him the championship, Muhammad maintained no regrets. “Was my game plan wrong? It could have went the other way. Could it have been an easier fight? It could have. But at the end of the day, I love to compete, man.”
This marks a significant setback for Muhammad, who had established himself as a dominant force in the welterweight division prior to this defeat. The loss opens new questions about his future championship prospects and whether he’ll return to his wrestling-heavy approach that previously brought him success.
For Della Maddalena, the victory represents a remarkable rise to the pinnacle of the welterweight division, setting up potential high-profile defenses in the coming months.
