"Biased" UFC Commentary Team Blasted After UFC 315 Main Event

Australian welterweight Jack Della Maddalena claimed the UFC welterweight title with a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad on Saturday night at UFC 315, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in his favour.

In what proved to be a gritty and fast-paced five-round contest, Della Maddalena outstruck the reigning champion and showcased his takedown defence against one of the division’s most consistent wrestlers. The Perth native’s sharp boxing and defensive poise stifled Muhammad’s offense early and often, as he became the first fighter to defeat the Palestinian-American since 2019, snapping Muhammad’s ten-fight unbeaten streak.

Della Maddalena entered the bout with an 18-fight win streak and a 70% knockout rate, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division. Muhammad, meanwhile, carried the reputation of being technically sound but often criticised for his conservative, grind-heavy style. Despite bold pre-fight claims, including his assertion that he had “Canelo hands” and was the best boxer in the UFC, Muhammad failed to back up his trash talk, particularly in the striking exchanges.

The first four rounds saw Della Maddalena maintain control with clean boxing combinations, lateral movement, and sharp counters that frustrated Muhammad, who struggled to get the fight to the ground. Each time Muhammad initiated a takedown, the Aussie displayed superb balance and hips to stay upright, or quickly scramble back to his feet when he was momentarily grounded.

Heading into the fifth round with the fight slipping away, Muhammad pressed forward with urgency, securing his best takedown of the night. But it was too little, too late. Della Maddalena exploded back to his feet, stunned Muhammad with a stiff right hand, and then cracked him with a brutal knee during a wild scramble that left the champion bloodied and staggering. The final moments saw both fighters throwing bombs in the pocket, but it was clear that Della Maddalena had done enough.

Belal Muhammad’s Face Busted Up After Losing Belt to Della Maddalena

Many fans have questioned Muhammad’s gameplan for the fight because he chose to stand and strike with one of the best strikers in the 170-pounds division. Why? That question remains to be answered, but what we do know is he’s paid the price for it.

Not only has Muhammad woken up the day after the fight without his title, he’s got some brutal battle scars, as Dana White posted on social media.

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Della Maddalena Welcomes Bout With Islam Makhachev

With names like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Sean Brady, Ian Machado Garry, and Joaquin Buckley waiting in the wings, Della Maddalena’s reign as the welterweight champion could start off with a blockbuster bout against UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev.

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“I think it’s a beautiful challenge. He’s pound-for-pound No. 1. I’m going to get him back for Volk,” the Aussie said in his post-fight interview.

UFC Commentary Blasted For Being ‘Biased’ in UFC 315 Main Event

In the aftermath, criticism also swirled around the broadcast booth. Daniel Cormier, calling the fight alongside Dominick Cruz, who was in place of Joe Rogan (who no longer travels for international cards), was accused by fans of displaying clear bias toward Muhammad, his frequent colleague on the UFC’s weigh-in shows.

One fan on twitter said: “The Belal bias from Daniel Cormier is unbearable” – @hahayeahmansick.

Another stated: “I’m convinced Daniel Cormier is not watching the same fight card as everyone else. Consistently has been saying the guy that’s losing is winning. Thought I was going crazy at first during the prelims” – @BoBelichick.

Whilst another said: “Daniel Cormier commentary is biased… Belal Belal Belal….” – @JaywonEJANLA.

Cormier wasn’t the only UFC commentator that was biased or overhyping Muhammad. Rogan had also hyped Muhammad heavily during the lead-up to the event, claiming he was “one of the best to ever do it”.

Many quite rightly laughed off these claims because the American realistically isn’t anywhere near Kamaru Usman’s greatness at welterweight, let alone Georges St-Pierre. That argument is now well and truly up in flames after Muhammad failed to even record one successful title defence, making his title reign very hard to remember in years to come.

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