Australian fighter Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight championship. The intense main event at UFC 315 featured a late scramble in the final round that resulted in Muhammad being bloodied from a knee strike.
Della Maddalena, a native of Perth with a strong boxing background, successfully defended against multiple takedown attempts from the renowned wrestler Muhammad. Keeping the fight predominantly on the feet, Della Maddalena secured his 18th consecutive professional victory, ending Muhammad`s impressive six-year unbeaten streak.
“He brings the pressure. I knew I had to be sharp on my feet,” Della Maddalena commented. “I wanted to take him out of there. I was gunning for a finish but Belal is a tough dude.”
The 28-year-old champion is now setting his sights on the lightweight division, expressing interest in facing current champion Islam Makhachev, who previously defeated Australian contender Alexander Volkanovski.
Della Maddalena stated, “I think its a beautiful challenge. He`s the pound-for-pound No 1. I want to get him back for Volk.”
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan successfully defended her flyweight title, winning a unanimous decision over Manon Fiorot. This marked Fiorot`s first professional loss after a streak of 12 victories.
Shevchenko`s effective right hooks caused Fiorot`s nose to bleed in the opening round. However, the French fighter rallied, pressing Shevchenko against the cage and landing knees in the clinch during the subsequent rounds.
Shevchenko turned the tide in the fourth round, escaping a body lock and scoring a knockdown. In the fifth and final round, she landed notable strikes including a spinning backfist and a superwoman punch, ultimately securing the victory with all three judges scoring the fight 48-47 in her favor.
