MONTREAL – Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena got a first chance to size each other up Wednesday ahead of their surprise title fight at UFC 315.
After expected next title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov had to turn down his opportunity, the streaking Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) was instead afforded the opportunity to face welterweight champ Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in his first defense after capturing the strap from Leon Edwards in August.
The title fight will serve as the main event of May 10 card at Bell Centre (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), and the pair kicked off promotional efforts in the host city with an on-sale press conference where they answered questions, followed by a faceoff.
Check out the video above to see Muhammad, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie welterweight rankings, and No. 6 Della Maddalena square up for the first time before UFC 315.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 315.
