UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is all set to face Jack Della Maddalena for his title defense at UFC 315. The fight will headline the card, which is set to take place on May 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.
“Remember the Name” will enter the fight on an 11-fight undefeated streak. Maddalena, on the other hand, has won 17 fights in a row prior to UFC 315.
Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev Go Back-and-Forth on Social Media
Khamzat Chimaev and Muhammad have been taking jibes at each other on social media lately. It all started when, ahead of his upcoming title clash, the welterweight king made an appearance on “Submission Radio.”
During his time there, Muhammad was asked whether he would be open to sharing the Octagon with “Borz” after his potential move to middleweight.
The 36-year-old replied in the affirmative and then opined that Chimaev would get the better of UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in their potential showdown.
“Yeah, 100%. I’ve called out Khamzat when he was 170 [pounds],” said Muhammad. “That’s one of those fights I was always looking for. I’m always looking for the toughest challenge, the best fight. Especially for him, stylistically, I think I match up very well with him and a guy like him. And I do think he’ll walk through [Dricus] Du Plessis and will be the champion.”
Chimaev then took to social media to poke fun at Muhammad. He uploaded a post on X that featured a picture of a pony and mentioned “Remember The Name” in the caption.
“Belal Muhammad, where are you going, Pony?” wrote Chimaev.
bullyb170 куда ты лезешь пони 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/i4HMuSSavJ
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) April 29, 2025
The welterweight king took notice of the post and issued a brief response.
“Goin to middleweight,” replied Muhammad.
Goin to middleweight https://t.co/u4QzXQb3iP pic.twitter.com/owTlYl8HHH
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 29, 2025
Chimaev was last seen in action in October 2024 when he went toe-to-toe against Robert Whittaker at UFC 308. “Borz” delivered a highly impressive performance that night as he made light work of the Australian and submitted him with a neck crank in the opening round of the fight.
Since then, many MMA fans have been demanding that the 30-year-old be pitted against Du Plessis for the middleweight throne for International Fight Week.
UFC CEO Dana White also seems to share a similar sentiment. During a recent appearance at a post-fight press conference, White shared that although the fight was a done deal, it would not take place during International Fight Week.
“We all know that fight’s happening,” said White. “The Du Plessi vs. Khamzat fight, it’s happening. It’s just not happening on International Fight Week. But that fight’s done.”
