Jack Della Maddalena’s coach appears to have suggested that former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad may have used performance-enhancers during his career.
According to training footage that has recently surfaced, Della Maddalena’s coach can be heard making comments about Muhammad’s physical changes and performance over time.
“He wasn’t on juice then, he was a different physique completely,” the coach says in the video, apparently referring to Muhammad’s earlier career bouts.
The controversial remarks came during what appears to be a strategy session between Della Maddalena and his coaching team. The conversation focused on analyzing Muhammad’s previous performances, particularly highlighting a fight against Geoff Neal where Muhammad allegedly “face planted” and “got tired towards the end” of a three-round fight.
These allegations come at a pivotal moment, as newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Della Maddalena is riding high after his victory over Muhammad at UFC 315. The Australian fighter has already caught the attention of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who has publicly challenged Della Maddalena for a potential champion-versus-champion showdown.
Muhammad was quoted attributing his transofmation to spirituality previously:
‘Everyone is looking for the next supplement or right ster*id to take. I get my strength from my spirituality.’
“Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah. Let’s go,” Makhachev posted on social media following Della Maddalena’s victory.
When asked about the potential matchup with Makhachev, Della Maddalena was respectful but confident: “I think there are a lot of good welterweights. Islam, what he’s done, I think he deserves a shot if he wants to step up,” he told reporters at his post-fight press conference.
Makhachev quickly responded to these comments with a warning: “You are not Volk I will show you different level. Keep my belt clean.”
Della Maddalena’s unfazed reply? “Come get it. Come get it.”
Neither Muhammad nor his team have responded to the PED allegations at the time of publication. The UFC has strict testing protocols through its partnership with the USADA, though the organization recently switched to a new testing program called Dr*g Free Sport International.
If Della Maddalena faces Makhachev next, he believes his victory over Muhammad has provided valuable preparation. “I think it was a good practice match for Islam,” the new welterweight champion said.
A potential victory over Makhachev would cement Della Maddalena’s status as one of the organization’s elite champions, a prospect he’s clearly excited about: “It’s a pretty good run but it’s just the beginning. Beating Islam would be…yeah this is just the beginning.”
