UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad defends his title against Jack Della Maddalena this Saturday as the promotion returns to Montreal for UFC 315. The event marks the first time the UFC has held a card in the city in a decade.
The championship doubleheader also features Valentina Shevchenko challenging Manon Fiorot for the women's flyweight title in the co-main event.
Muhammad enters the fight known for his toughness and ability to grind out wins. He went the distance in 13 of his last 15 UFC bouts, excluding one No Contest.
Betting analysis from DraftKings Sportsbook suggests Muhammad will employ a wrestling-heavy strategy against Della Maddalena. This mirrors Muhammad's approach in his previous fight against Leon Edwards, where he secured nine takedowns and controlled the ground for 12 minutes en route to a decision victory.
Muhammad's wrestling background provides a clear path to victory, particularly against opponents like Della Maddalena who do not have a substantial wrestling foundation. Predictions favor Muhammad winning by decision.
The UFC has a long history with Montreal, which hosted the first four Canadian UFC events starting in 2008. This Saturday's card at the Bell Centre is the eighth visit to the city.
Other notable fighters on the UFC 315 card include UFC legend Jose Aldo facing Aiemann Zahabi and former women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso in a fight against Natalia Silva. More details on the card highlight these matchups and Benoit Saint Denis in featured non-title bouts.
Montreal ranks third globally for cities hosting UFC events, trailing only the United States and Brazil. The return to the city is a key moment for the Canadian market. The 17-year history includes notable fights like Georges St-Pierre's appearances and Cain Velasquez's debut.
