Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Belal Muhammad (red gloves) before his fight against Sean Brady (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

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‘I Am Gonna Outbox Him’ – Belal Muhammad Vows To Show His ‘Canelo Hands’ at First Title Defense!

Belal Muhammad takes on his 'Canelo Hands' avatar, promises to outbox Jack Della Maddalena in his first title defence!

Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Belal Muhammad (red gloves) before his fight against Sean Brady (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

Belal Muhammad, a fighter who endured a long and winding road is finally the UFC welterweight champion. For years, many fans overlooked him despite his growing win streak. They called his fighting style boring. They said he would never beat Leon Edwards. But Muhammad silenced all doubters last year when he outworked and outclassed Edwards at UFC 304, capturing the welterweight crown in a performance that forced the fighting world to finally give him his flowers.

Now, the Chicago native stands tall as champion after going undefeated in his last ten fights (including 1 NC). His journey wasn’t easy. But he kept winning fights and kept climbing the rankings. And finally, when the rematch with Edwards materialized, he seized the moment in spectacular fashion!

Also Read: UFC London Fight Card Has Some Certified Bangers!

Bold Boxing Claims Against Deadly Striker

Muhammad’s first title defense comes against a dangerous challenge in Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal. The Australian striker wasn’t the original opponent. Shavkat Rakhmonov was slated for the title shot before an injury forced him out. Now, Maddalena brings his perfect 7-0 UFC record and feared boxing skills into the championship spotlight. But Muhammad isn’t intimidated by his opponent’s striking reputation. In fact, he’s making a surprising claim about his gameplan.

‘‘I’m gonna outbox Jack. I’m not gonna shoot one takedown, and I’m gonna show him the meaning of Canelo hands. Gonna show the UFC fighters and the fans that I’m the best boxer in the UFC, in the welterweight division. Trust me, you guys wanna tune in, don’t miss it.,’ said Muhammad via The Coach and the Casual.

💥 Belal Muhammad Predicts Striking Masterclass Against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315👊

"I'm gonna go in there, I'm gonna outbox Jack. I'm not gonna shoot one takedown, and I'm gonna show him the meaning of Canelo hands. I'm gonna show the UFC fighters and the fans that I'm… pic.twitter.com/ZQBr7BkJmc
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 13, 2025

Belal Muhammad is known primarily for his wrestling and pressure-heavy approach. He now claims he will beat one of the division’s most feared punchers at his own game. This is either incredibly brave or slightly crazy. But that is the confidence of a champion who has been doubted his entire career.

Muhammad’s rise to championship status has shaken things up in the best possible way. If he can indeed defeat Maddalena with striking rather than wrestling, it would completely transform how opponents approach him in the future. No longer would they just worry about defending takedowns. They would have to respect his “Canelo hands” too.

Whether this boxing-heavy gameplan is genuine or just pre-fight mind games remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain. Belal Muhammad is embracing his championship role with the same confidence that got him there in the first place. The question now is whether Maddalena will have something to say about these bold predictions when they finally lock horns on May 10.

(Image Credit: Craig Kidwell – Imagn Images)

Belal Muhammad

Jack Della Maddalena

UFC 315

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!