Belal Muhammad is locked in and ready for the first defense of his UFC welterweight championship as he prepares to face Jack Della Maddalena. The title fight will go down as the main event of UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal, Canada.
The title bout marks the UFC’s return to Canada’s fight capital for the first time in nearly a decade, and it carries high stakes for both men.
Belal Muhammad Explains Ramadan Grind
Muhammad’s rise to the 170-pound division’s top was capped by a dominant victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 305, extending his unbeaten run to 11. His first title defense was originally slated against Shavkat Rakhmonov, but injuries forced the latter out of the matchup.
Della Maddalena—riding a 17-fight unbeaten streak—stepped in as the new challenger.
In the UFC Countdown video ahead of the pay-per-view event, Muhammad gave fans a glimpse into the intensity of his training camp. He also explained why he chose to push through the sacred month of Ramadan while preparing for the biggest fight of his career.
“Training during Ramadan is hard because there is no food or drink,” Muhammad said. “We’re not getting water after the session, so you better tough it out. You don’t know how hard you could push your body.”
Muhammad emphasized that enduring grueling workouts while fasting gives him a physical and mental edge over his opponent. He said he believes the adversity sharpens his resilience and better prepares him for high-pressure moments in the cage.
“It’s getting comfortable with uncomfortable. And I think that I get a lot stronger during Ramadan. I know Jack’s not going to do that. He’s drinking water after his practice. So that just makes me work that much harder, and I am not going to break in the cage because I’m not breaking in the practice room.”
🕌Belal Muhammad started preparation for Jack Della Maddalena fight during Ramadan.
He sees it as an advantage, believing that suffering during trainings makes him harder to beat.👀💪
🎥 @ufc ▫️ pic.twitter.com/ASYMADT2gK
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 4, 2025
Belal Muhammad Opens Up on Being a 36-Year-Old Champion
At 36, Belal Muhammad is not only a world champion but also defies the expectations that usually accompany aging fighters. While many have been known to lose their form after 35, Muhammad believes he’s in his prime—and there’s a reason for that.
He began training in MMA at 23, a relatively late age. A Facebook post by his former coach pushed him to pursue combat sports.
Unlike many peers who started as teenagers and carry years of wear and tear, Muhammad entered the sport fresh and injury-free. He attributes his longevity to this, as well as to his clean lifestyle and disciplined approach.
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. I keep my body clean,” he said during an appearance on “The Brian Campbell Experience.”
“I try to stay light and healthy all year round because I’m training all year round.”
He also credited his work ethic and “smart work” for helping him keep up with—and outlast—younger contenders. With no signs of slowing down, Muhammad appears more motivated than ever to prove his reign at welterweight is just beginning.
Maddalena, meanwhile, brings his own momentum into the title fight, having dispatched multiple UFC opponents with precision and power. But it will take more than talent to shake the champion against a veteran like Muhammad, who combines durability, intelligence, and sheer mental toughness.