After a lengthy hiatus, reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will finally return to defend his title against Australian sensation Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Will he prevail? It has been over seven months since ‘Bully B’ secured the 170lbs gold, dethroning Leon Edwards at UFC 304 last summer inside Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. Initially, the Illinois native was scheduled to face top-ranked contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in November.

However, because of a severe “bone infection,” he had to withdraw from the fight. This withdrawal, understandably, sparked criticism, with many accusing him of avoiding the undefeated Rakhmonov. Even Conor McGregor took a jab at Belal Muhammad, dubbing him an “infected fighter.” ‘Remember The Name’ later revealed the infection, which posed a serious threat to his health, to be so severe that it could have led to“amputation” if left untreated.

Now, after months on the sidelines, Belal Muhammad is finally set to defend his title at UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal, Canada—marking the UFC’s return to the city for the first time since 2015. While oddsmakers favor the reigning champion, former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, despite never facing Jack Della Maddalena, holds a different view. In a recent discussion of the matchup on his Pound for Pound podcast with co-host Henry Cejudo, the former champion offered high praise for Della Maddalena’s fighting style and mental toughness.

He remarked: “JDM is a sleeper. I’ve seen him fight, and one thing about him is he’s so relaxed that it’s very hard to beat him… There are some guys you can take down 50 million times, and they’re still going to keep trying to get up.” But does ‘Marty’s prediction carry any weight? There’s no denying it—28-year-old JDM has become a rising star in the division, remaining undefeated since his UFC debut. Unlike Belal Muhammad, who rarely finishes opponents, JDM’s aggressive style often leads to TKO or submission finishes. His last appearance in the Octagon was in March of the previous year, at UFC 299.

Earlier this year, rumors circulated about a potential matchup between Kamaru Usman and Della Maddalena, but ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ quickly dismissed the idea, disappointing many fans. Now, with his recent comments about the upcoming fight, it’s clear that Belal Muhammad, who has been vocal about his frustrations with Usman, won’t take kindly to the former champion’s remarks. Just as he did last month when the Illinois native voiced his anger at Usman, it’s certain that these words will only add fuel to the fire of their ongoing rivalry.

Belal Muhammad vented his anger at Kamaru Usman

“I think if I were in his position, the decision I’d make next—yeah, 100 percent,” said Kamaru Usman on his P4P podcast. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ suggested that if he were in Belal Muhammad’s shoes, he would look into fighting Islam Makhachev if Makhachev ever moved up to the 170lbs division. Meanwhile, ‘Bully B’ has solidified his spot among the top fighters in the ‘Team Khabib’ camp, which includes Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, collectively known as the “Muslim brothers.”

This situation has caused Belal Muhammad to reconsider his future in the welterweight division, even considering giving up his title to move up to middleweight. However, many view this as a missed opportunity, arguing it would deprive fans of the thrilling matchups they want to see. Kamaru Usman, for one, is eager to see a fight between Islam Makhachev and ‘Remember the Name’. But Muhammad, staying true to his principles, is not on board with the idea.

Usman’s comments didn’t sit well with Belal Muhammad. Speaking to MMA Junkie last month, the Illinois native voiced his frustration: “It’s so funny when you have a guy like him. He’s on a three-fight losing streak, and when these guys are calling him out, he acts like he’s putting himself on a pedestal, like he’s still the champ and they shouldn’t be calling him out. But, bro, you’re just a podcaster now. You haven’t fought in over a year. If you’re not going to defend your ranking, then leave. Quit.”

What are your thoughts on the upcoming fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena? Do you believe the Illinois export can successfully defend his title against the rising Australian fighter? Share your opinion below