“Enjoy spirit airlines,” Belal Muhammad brutally cancels donation for rival coaches over jibe ahead of UFC 315

Champ Belal Muhammad takes umbrage with Jack Della Maddalena claiming to be the divisional savior ahead of UFC 315 PPV title affair.


“Enjoy spirit airlines,” Belal Muhammad brutally cancels donation for rival coaches over jibe ahead of UFC 315

Belal Muhammad disses Jack Della Maddalena before UFC 315 ppv challenge (Source: X/IMAGO)

Things are finally charging up in short order as Belal Muhammad gets ready for a maiden defense of his 170-pound gold. Muhammad defends against UFC 315 PPV title challenger Jack Della Maddalena at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Ahead of the May 10th event, the champ drew blood in a pre-fight banter.

Belal Muhammad told the “The Coach And The Casual” podcast hosts that he doesn’t underestimate the opposition. To that end, he thinks Jack Della Maddalena has heart and would rival his superior grappling test. Hence, “Bully Belal” was even ready to hash it out in a standup game. But Della Maddalena fanned the flames of pre-fight smack recently, boasting to ‘save’ the division at UFC 315.

Stoked the UFC have put their trust in me to save the division. This will be done in 1 no doubt

Jack Della Maddalena via X (@jackdellamaddalena)

It’s not a thought unlike many others in the welterweight division. Muhammad has gone to test against big names. Those have included Gilbert BurnsStephen ThompsonVicente LuqueDemian Maia, and even Sean Brady ( a lone round-two TKO). However, his string of decision victories often catch fire for not inciting interest in the 170-pound division. With Jack Della Maddalena rolling the same way, the champ brings out the bully.

Just when I was gonna donate to your fundraiser so your coaches can come …enjoy spirit airlines

Belal Muhammad via X (@bullyb170)

The title challenger recently announced a fundraiser to cover travel expenses for his team for the upcoming Canada PPV event. With everyone in a giving mood during Eid al-Fitr, Muhammad quipped about paying for it. Team AKA’s Islam Makhachev, the longtime UFC 155-pound reigning champ, also paid for his rival’s camp once. However, Muhammad now regresses as things start to heat up at the top of the division.

Kamaru Usman: Too many people counting out Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 title picture

Muhammad makes his first title defense against Jack Della Maddalena soon, at UFC 315. Belal Muhammad defied expectations during the PPV main event at Co-op Live in Manchester last July when he bagged the gold. He executed nine TDs and cracked Leon Edwards, outstriking him. Hence, many consider that he can go toe-to-toe vs. JDM and his sharp striking this time around.

Jack Della Maddalena not to have any quit in him against Belal Muhammad
Jack Della Maddalena not to have any quit in him against Belal Muhammad (Source: X)

Muhammad touting his boxing hands has been a recurring fun theme, as of late. But the former divisional king and UFC Pound-for-pound topper, Kamaru Usman, has other ideas. After getting taken down multiple times against Gilbert Burns at the UFC 299 PPV event, Della Maddalena was able to rally back and score a late knockout. Usman said that he thinks that’s indicative of the type of challenge Della Maddalena will pose to Muhammad, who touts a stronger grappling base.

I think he’s a sleeper guy, …I’ve seen him fight, and obviously I do know how to beat a guy like that. But the one thing about him is he’s so relaxed to where it’s very, very hard to beat him. When I say beat him, I don’t mean just win the fight. It’s very, very hard to discourage him from trying…I do think Belal has better grappling than him as far as taking him down, having top control, maybe looking for a choke here and there. But striking wise, I think JDM is much better than Belal.

Kamaru Usman via the Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo Podcast

Even Muhammad himself agreed that the Aussie man is a tough cookie who does not give up easily, and UFC 315 might be the same. Per DraftKings Sportbooks, welterweight champion Muhammad has propped up a -205 favorite on the money line. However, Usman says not to count the +170 underdog opposition out just yet.

Related: Jack Della Maddalena reveals GRAPHIC images of staph infection, pulling out from home-crowd show UFC 305