UFC 315 headliner reacts to Joe Rogan ‘Canada blacklist’ statement ahead of Montreal event

Color commentator Joe Rogan omitting UFC 315 PPV is not a big deal for Jack Della Maddalena as he focuses on Belal Muhammad.

UFC 315 headliner reacts to Joe Rogan ‘Canada blacklist’ statement ahead of Montreal event

Jack Della Maddalena unbothered about Joe Rogan skipping UFC 315 (Source: X/IMAGO)

Belal Muhammad will put his gold to the test against Jack Della Maddalena at the May 10 PPV event in Montreal. As usual, the fan community expected charged banters to be the highlight of the week. Instead, Joe Rogan took the spotlight, saying he won’t commentate for the UFC 315 PPV Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

To that end, Joe Rogan even said he’d rather go to Russia instead. He has been widely known for stateside PPV duties. However, his reasons this time stem from other issues and have gotten a few responses as such. Jack Della Maddalena, though, is single-minded for gold. Now, if he gets to that against the 170-pound champ, he doesn’t mind Rogan skipping the show.

I mean, …I think yeah, I don’t know, Joe, I think he just stays to the US pretty strong…but that’s all right that’s all right, I — it doesn’t matter they will have good, uh, good commentators there. But yeah as long as the team [is] there, I’ll be…I’ll be happy.

Jack Della Maddalena to @mainevent

At 17-2 MMA, Jack Della Maddalena isn’t undefeated, but has a 7-0 UFC streak. He wants to enter the exclusive 8-0 club. The Aussie striker is heading into his first UFC PPV title assignment and brimming with purpose. To that end, he does not mind if Joe Rogan or anyone else has play-by-play duties in Canada.

With UFC’s return to Montreal generating buzz, the Canadian fanbase has been active across forums, social media, and even betting platforms. Sites like Bodog Canada, popular among fans for following fight odds and making predictions, have seen steady traffic as matchups like Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena continue to spark debate.

Ian Garry was the latest in the 8-0 club and thought he deserved the title shot despite a gritty top contender loss. The Australian boxer was set to face Leon Edwards in March, and not the champ who defeated him. On paper, JDM knows this is a tougher fight, but he believes he can win. If so, he’ll be so much more than just the hot new contender, something he believes he can do.

Jack Della Maddalena looks to end Belal Muhammad’s streak at UFC 315

Belal Muhammad is going on almost ten years without a stoppage loss. Additionally, minus a big fat poke and a rivalry spewing from it, he strung up a 12-fight win streak. After his 2021 NC, he reeled off five straight wins (one fight night headliner). These have included big names like Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Demian Maia, and Sean Brady (an only Round-two TKO).

Jack Della Maddalena ready for UFC 315 challenge vs. Belal Muhammad
Jack Della Maddalena ready for UFC 315 challenge vs. Belal Muhammad (Source: X)

While not an unstoppable machine touting explosive KOs, Muhammad has had his moments. His PPV main event at Co-op Live in Manchester proved that Muhammad had made prime changes in camp, specific to Edwards. UFC 315 title challenger Jack Della Maddalena thinks he has weeks to prep for it and can bag gold despite the challenges.

I think Leon is a good striker, and he’s probably happy to sit on his back foot where Belal comes forward and tries to go for the grappling. It’s a big change, but I’ve fought people that come forward and try to grapple me my whole career,  …It’s the biggest opportunity, and I have 10 weeks to sharpen all the tools, and I’m looking forward to it.

Jack Della Maddalena to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn

Despite multiple TDs, JDM was able to rally back with a late knockout over UFC 299 PPV opponent Burns. Many have it under good authority that Della Maddalena is a guy with variable pace and a relentless seeker of opportunities.

Per top Sportbooks, the welterweight champion has opened up as a moderate -205 favorite on the betting line. The champ has also taken a wild U-turn and said he won’t be using his strong grappling base. So, JDM may have that working in his favor. Even with a winning streak, Della Maddalena sits as a +170 underdog. Come UFC 315, he’ll mean to prove that numbers do not mean all.

While fans eagerly await the showdown in Montreal, the build-up to UFC 315 has taken on a life of its own. Training camps are heating up, press obligations are piling on, and the mental games have already started. Both fighters know what’s at stake—not just a belt, but a legacy. With the welterweight division as competitive as ever, a dominant showing on May 10 could shift the rankings and ripple through future matchmaking decisions for the rest of the year.

Related: Belal Muhammad’s ambitions get scary warning from ex 185-er: “I swear to god”