Jack Della Maddalena drops a strategic bombshell in the post-UFC 315 film "How to Beat Belal"

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 11, 2025, 22:45 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Jack Della Maddalena revealed his strategic masterclass against Belal Muhammad after UFC 315, sharing a detailed breakdown on YouTube. Training videos showcased the intense focus on takedown defense, guided by coach Ben Vickers, which proved crucial in neutralizing Muhammad's wrestling.

Jack Della Maddalena drops a strategic bombshell in the post-UFC 315 film "How to Beat Belal" (Image Source: Getty Images)

After winning at UFC 315, Jack Della Maddalena shared a strategic breakdown of how he defeated Belal Muhammad on YouTube in a 24-hour post-victory video. The reigning welterweight champion went public with covert training videos that show the elaborate preparations his team made for Belal Muhammad’s wrestling-based game plan. Jack Della Maddalena opted to hold this training strategy under wraps leading to the fight, showing the tactical nous that got him to win at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Defensive wrestling focus pays dividends against a former champion

Takedown defence and scrambling had a strong focus during the Australian fighter’s camp, which was essential and made all the difference in the championship match.

Operation Sindoor

In the training tapes, Ben Vickers is seen teaching Jack Della Maddalena how to use down blocks in reaction to Muhammad’s level changes. This technique is influenced by the study of Belal Muhammad’s defeat to Geoff Neal in This training enabled Jack Della Maddalena to block six of Belal Muhammad’s nine takedown moves in their fight, blocking the wrestling dominance that had already made Belal Muhammad win.

Confidence and composure: The psychological edge

In a clip from training, Jack Della Maddalena hears Ben Vickers say to him, “He’s way too full of himself, doesn’t have enough respect for you, and is just too self-assured”. The 28-year-old Australian fighter who joined the UFC after being signed by Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021 said he would retaliate with an aggressive style against Belal Muhammad’s constant pressure.

This strategy served Jack Della Maddalena well because he remained calm throughout all the championship rounds, having been groomed by his team to do so after the plans were altered.Also Read: UFC 315 co-main event: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot ends in retirement wager controversyThanks to this win, Jack Della Maddalena is now one of only two UFC champions from Australia, which establishes the country’s growth in mixed martial arts. The complete “How to Beat Belal” guide can be accessed by fans for viewing on Jack Della Maddalena’s official YouTube channel.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article