UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad goes for his first title protection as he faces Jack Della Maddalena in the primary occasion at UFC 315 on Saturday evening (8 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+, with prelims at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+/Disney+).
Muhammad, ranked No. 10 on ESPN’s pound-for-pound checklist, has not misplaced a combat since January 2019. Most just lately, he beat Leon Edwards by unanimous determination to say the welterweight title. Della Maddalena, ESPN’s No. 3-ranked welterweight, is unbeaten contained in the Octagon, reeling off seven consecutive wins. Della Maddalena pulled off a comeback third-round TKO over Gilbert Burns in his final combat.
In the co-main occasion, ladies’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko places her belt on the road towards Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko is No. 2 within the ESPN pound-for-pound ladies’s rankings. Fiorot, ESPN’s third-ranked flyweight, has gained 12 fights in a row, every of the final 5 by unanimous determination.
Brett Okamoto spoke to retired UFC welterweight Dan Hardy to get his perspective on the primary occasion and Andreas Hale spoke to UFC strawweight Angela Hill to get her breakdown of the co-main occasion. ESPN betting skilled Ian Parker provides perception and evaluation on the 2 title fights and different intriguing bets he likes on the cardboard.
Editor’s observe: Responses have been edited for brevity and readability.
Welterweight: Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena
1:48
Belal Muhammad upsets Leon Edwards to develop into new UFC welterweight champion
Belal Muhammad upsets Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester to develop into the brand new UFC welterweight champion.
Dan Hardy, retired UFC welterweight
How Muhammad wins: Muhammad is such a well-rounded fighter. He’s robust however not overpowering to the purpose he gasses himself out. He’s not tremendous quick, however quick sufficient to land strikes. He will probably crowd Della Maddalena along with his wrestling as a result of he is aware of Della Maddalena’s palms are so sharp. If I had been in his nook, I might have Muhammad working at a barely longer vary for this combat. I might even have him trying to throw a whole lot of kicks. Della Maddalena is sort of sturdy along with his stance, so Muhammad can do some harm to his lead leg. He might do one thing Canelo Alvarez does effectively — deliberately goal his opponent’s arms. Often, you’re feinting to get across the arms, however there’s worth in kicking the biceps, triceps and forearms to deaden these muscle mass
How Della Maddalena wins: Della Maddalena is likely one of the first names that come to thoughts when requested, “Who has the best boxing in MMA?” He simply has good fundamentals. He strikes his ft and acknowledges his targets effectively. He’ll want to search out the area to let his palms go, although, with out feeling like Muhammad will disappear beneath and shoot for a takedown each time. He’s acquired actual ending intuition, which is a bonus he has over Muhammad. One of the largest points folks have when boxing in MMA is getting overexcited and tending to cowl an excessive amount of floor. Della Maddalena doesn’t have that tendency. When folks throw with an excessive amount of energy, they have an inclination to rise on their ft. Della Maddalena can’t afford to do this right here. He must work into the pocket however keep his fundamentals. If he does that, he presents a whole lot of issues to the champion.
X issue: Della Maddalena’s punches to the physique. If he can weaken Muhammad and sluggish him down, that can discourage him from capturing takedowns.
Prediction: Muhammad to win by unanimous determination. I’ve been so impressed with him. Della Maddalena is a menace, however there are only a couple bits of his recreation he’ll want to repair earlier than he beats somebody like Muhammad.
Betting evaluation
Odds correct as of publication. For probably the most up-to-date odds, go to ESPN BET.
Parker: Muhammad to win (-185). If you’ve been trying to guess on Muhammad, now’s the time. His line has dropped from -220, and at practically even odds, it’s laborious to go up. The greatest disparity between these two is Muhammad’s cardio and wrestling. Yes, Della Maddalena has nice hanging and knockout energy, however Muhammad simply dominated Leon Edwards and not using a downside, and it’s laborious to think about this combat going otherwise. Especially contemplating that Della Maddlena was a flying knee away from dropping to Burns in his final combat. I anticipate Muhammad to go on the market and push the tempo and use his dominant wrestling to safe his first profitable title protection.
Women’s flyweight: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot
0:55
Manon Fiorot wins by way of unanimous determination in foremost occasion
Manon Fiorot defeats Erin Blanchfield in the primary occasion of UFC Fight Night by way of unanimous determination.
Angela Hill, UFC strawweight
How Shevchenko wins: Shevchenko seemed unbeatable in her final combat towards Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 final September, and he or she’s gonna do the identical towards Fiorot. Shevchenko can throw nearly all the things on the ft. And to set herself aside, she has added a slick takedown recreation. We noticed her enable Taila Santos to reverse takedown makes an attempt of their 2022 bout, however Shevchenko seems to have shored that up since. Her prime strain was spectacular within the final of three consecutive bouts with Grasso. When Grasso threw up her legs, Shevchenko stayed calm and used it to go Grasso’s guard. Even when she did hand over place on backside, she was already on her approach to getting again on prime. These abilities translate effectively towards Fiorot, who waits to counter till opponents cost ahead. Fiorot additionally doesn’t have an aggressive floor recreation. It appears to be like defensively sound, however she’s not actively trying to find methods to go guard. Fiorot tends to lean to the aspect when pressured, searching for verify hook combos, and that would result in a nasty head kick from the champ. It might take a while for Shevchenko to search out her rhythm, however as soon as she will get her momentum going, she ought to have the ability to keep a step forward.
How Fiorot wins: Fiorot is huge for the division and good at defensive hanging. She retains her opponents at bay with lengthy combos, verify hooks, aspect kicks and sneaky kicks to the top. She angles off effectively when she strikes, making it laborious for opponents to shoot in takedowns. She doesn’t like strain, although, particularly when opponents aren’t interrupted by her standing assaults. I like when she mixes within the takedowns, and the massive slam towards Erin Blanchfield at a UFC Fight Night final November confirmed off her measurement and energy. But Fiorot hasn’t completed an opponent since June 2021, so if she’s down on factors it’s laborious to see a late-round end from her. She must push the tempo all 5 rounds along with her counter-combos and footwork to maintain Shevchenko from getting a bead on her.
X issue: Shevchenko is a seasoned veteran. She’s seen all of it and had a ton of five-round fights. She ups her recreation each time, adjusting between rounds and presenting a unique model of herself. Fiorot is huge, which might trigger issues for Shevchenko within the takedown division and in her skill to shut the space between them.
Prediction: Shevchenko to win by determination.
Betting evaluation
Parker: Fiorot to win (-135). Coming off her trilogy with Grasso, Shevchenko will get a brand new title-fight opponent in Fiorot, who brings an aggressive hanging type. She is bodily robust with nice takedown protection. Unless Shevchenko can wrestle for 5 rounds, she shall be in for a tough evening towards the French fighter. Look for Fiorot to fend off early takedown makes an attempt and make the most of her physique kicks and distance hanging to get the win and develop into the brand new champ.
Parker’s greatest bets on the remainder of the cardboard
1:08
Aiemann Zahabi knocks out Aoriqileng in Round 1
Aiemann Zahabi wins with a fast knockout over Aoriqileng at UFC 289.
Men’s bantamweight: José Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Zahabi to win (+170). Following his controversial loss to Mario Bautista, Aldo appears to be like to bounce again towards Zahabi. For Zahabi, a win over Aldo can be the largest of his profession, catapulting him up the road in a deep division. I like Zahabi right here at underdog odds. Aldo has develop into a low-volume striker, and he may be managed and held towards the cage for lengthy durations. I don’t anticipate this to be an thrilling combat, however I feel Zahabi may have a stable recreation plan and can comply with the blueprint that others have offered to beat Aldo.
Women’s flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva
Silva to win by determination. Silva will get the previous champ in what she hopes to be her key to a title shot, with a win. Silva is extraordinarily harmful in every single place the combat goes, and he or she ought to have a pace benefit on the ft, which can pose issues for Grasso. I don’t see both fighter getting completed on this combat, however I anticipate Silva to guide the dance and get the win by determination.
