Jack Della Maddalena has etched his name in the annals of MMA history by defeating Belal Muhammad to claim the UFC welterweight championship in Montreal. The victory came via a unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the bout 48-47 in favor of Della Maddalena, and the third judge scoring it 49-46.

Della Maddalena, who entered the fight after a year-long hiatus, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "It's exactly how I thought it would feel, it feels good." The Australian fighter demonstrated his prowess by landing 200 strikes, leaving Muhammad bloodied and struggling to maintain his footing.

"He brings the pressure, so I had to be smart on my feet," Della Maddalena remarked. "Coming in there against someone like him, I had to be smart. I couldn't spend too much time on my back. When I did, I waited until I could get my energy back and made a move."

With this victory, Della Maddalena joins the ranks of Alex Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker as the third Australian to hold a UFC title. His performance not only showcased his technical skills but also his strategic acumen, making him a formidable champion in the welterweight division.

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko retained her women's flyweight title with a narrow unanimous-decision win against Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko, who recently completed her trilogy with Alexa Grasso, faced a tough challenge from Fiorot but managed to secure the victory with all three judges scoring the bout 48-47 in her favor.

"I was expecting a very hard fight. She's a hard opponent and a good striker," Shevchenko said. "Everything I wanted to do getting ready for the fight, I was able to do."

These victories highlight the intensity and skill that define the UFC, setting the stage for more thrilling matchups in the future.