Fighter Belal Muhammad intends to display his "Canelo fists" in a match against Jack Della Madalena during UFC event 315.
Talk the Talk, Muhammad Ready to Box His Way to Victory!
UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad is gearing up for a title defense! On May 11, he takes on Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 315 main event. Muhammad plans to exhibit a less-appreciated talent—his boxing skills— inspired by none other than Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. In a chat with MMA Fighting, Muhammad shared his thoughts:
"I been bustin' out my pawz a lot lately. I've taken to a Canelo-style boxin', an' I aim to put that to the test."
And he's all set to silence the doubters:
"Everybody gonna know: that's why I'm the best boxer in UFC. That's why I'm tops in the welterweight division. People'll keep hatin', keep wonderin' how I do it. But we'll keep climbin' and gettin' better."
Previously, Muhammad praised his striking skills and had even simulated Canelo's style, but fans generally weren't buying it. Interestingly, Della Maddalena is a KO artist, unlike Muhammad himself.
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Going Hardcore with Muhammad vs Della Maddalena! May 11, 2025
Muhammad's boxing tactics have gone through a metamorphosis, earning him comparisons to Canelo Alvarez. Here's the breakdown:
- Muhammad himself has endorsed the Canelo comparison, switching his focus from heavy wrestling to striking finesse and refined boxing. He's stated, "I ain't tryin' a single takedown, an' I'm gonna flaunt my boxin' expertise."
- His refined striking is credited to training with moguls like Yair Rodriguez and Ignacio Bahamondes. They honed his boxing prowess using the Mexican style, known for offensive pressure, body shots, and sharp combinations, akin to Canelo's approach.
- His mentor, Horacio Gutierrez, echoed this evolution, lauding Muhammad's handwork as "Canelo-like," confirming the boxing ability has reached Canelo's caliber.
- Previously in his career, Muhammad relied heavily on wrestling. But his recent matches, including one against Leon Edwards, demonstrated significant progress in striking effectiveness.
- Muhammad has decisively pledged to opt for striking over wrestling takedowns for UFC 315, seeking to surprise everyone.
The upcoming fight carries monumental significance, beyond just the welterweight belt. If Muhammad showcases his refined boxing skills, he could nullify Della Maddalena's KO power advantage. But Della Maddalena has expressed doubts about Muhammad being called a Canelo clone.
The contest is steeped in drama and controversy, stirred by Muhammad referring to Canelo's name and style, evoking a mixed response from the MMA community.
In short, Belal Muhammad's boxing transformation from a wrestler to a Canelo-inspired boxer will be put to the test against Jack Della Maddalena. The outcome may redefine his image in the UFC and influence future matchups.
By 2025, bookmakers may face ridicule for underestimating Belal Muhammad's boxing abilities, as he implements a Canelo-style approach in his fight against Jack Della Maddalena. Alvarez's influence on Muhammad's game has proven to be better than critics initially thought, with Muhammad poised to showcase his honed boxing skills and potentially outdo Della Maddalena in the sports arena.
