By FCF Staff

Belal Muhammad utilized his wrestling and top game to end the reign of noted striker, Leon Edwards, last summer. But, according to the new welterweight champ, he will not be doing so against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.

Muhammad is scheduled to face Della Maddelena at the May 10th card, which will mark the first time he has competed, since he defeated Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 304. In that fight, Muhammad recorded nine takedowns. Since Della Maddalena is also renowned for his stand-up abilities, many have predicted that Muhammad will look to take the challenger down.

But, while appearing on the “The Coach And The Casual” podcast recently, the 36-year-old Muhammad (24-3) claimed wrestling will not be part of his gameplan at UFC 315 (quotes via MMA Junkie.com).

”I’m going to go in there, I’m going to outbox Jack,” Muhammad said. “I’m not going to shoot one takedown, and I’m going to show him the meaning of Canelo hands. I’m going to show the UFC fighters, the fans, that I’m the best boxer in the UFC, the best boxer in the welterweight division.”

The Chicago-based fighter also relayed that he’s not looking past Della Maddalena or his grappling abilities.

“I think I can take him down, but for me, I don’t like to underestimate guys. He’s had fights where guys took him down, but he keeps going. Even that last fight with Gilbert Burns, I thought he was losing up until that last 30 seconds, so it tells me he has heart. He’s never going to quit or give up on himself even if he gets taken down.

The 28-year-old Della Maddalena (17-2) is riding an awe-inspiring, 17 fight winning streak, and is coming off a KO win over the aforementioned Burns in March, 2024.

UFC 315 is taking place in Montreal, Quebec.