During Belal Muhammad’s training camp for his UFC 315 bout against Jack Della Maddalena, PFL welterweight contender Magomed Umalatov was present and noticed critical changes in the fight approach. The camp took place in Nashville, Tennessee, where Muhammad ultimately lost his title. Umalatov, who recently secured a win at PFL Nashville, expressed confusion about why Muhammad deviated from the original plan designed for an effective victory.
Insights from Umalatov on the Altered Fight Plan
Umalatov spent two weeks working closely with Muhammad’s team and explained the intended strategy was focused on wrestling. He detailed,
“I went to his [Belal Muhammad’s] camp here for two weeks, he was asking for help. I don’t know what happened,”
and added,
“Plan was, wrestle. He changed the plan. Striking, striking, they made big damage and after, wrestle. But plan was wrestling. I don’t know what happened.”
This sudden shift toward striking, rather than the planned wrestling tactics, resulted in significant damage that affected Muhammad’s performance.
Aftermath of the UFC 315 Title Loss and Upcoming Matchups
Jack Della Maddalena’s victory handed Muhammad the loss of his title and positioned Della Maddalena to face Islam Makhachev, who is one of Umalatov’s teammates. This upcoming fight draws additional attention to the connection between these fighters and their associated camps.
Umalatov’s Personal Challenges and Future Predictions
Earlier this year, Umalatov was forced to withdraw from the PFL World Tournament due to weight management issues compounded by health problems related to Ramadan fasting. He admitted,
“It was difficult, I regret it, because it was Ramadan. I was fasting at night and I got sick,”
and added,
“It’s a problem, I wasn’t healthy.”
Despite these setbacks, he remains confident in his future chances and shared his prediction for the current tournament’s winner:
“I think this year will be Jason. My opinion. I don’t know what happens. My opinion, Jason Jackson. I’ll be ready next year.”
However, Jackson was later defeated by Thad Jean during the same event.
The Significance of Fight Plan Discipline and Next Steps for Umalatov
Umalatov’s observations underscore the importance of sticking to a well-constructed fight plan, as Muhammad’s deviation likely cost him the championship. With another tournament round underway, Umalatov is focused on preparing for the next season, aiming to capitalize on his experience and return stronger. The unfolding rivalries within the PFL and UFC camps, including the matchup between Della Maddalena and Makhachev, continue to shape the welterweight division’s competitive landscape.