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Georges St-Pierre hails Belal Muhammad as the 'complete package' ahead of UFC 315 main event

Georges St-Pierre hails Belal Muhammad as the 'complete package' ahead of UFC 315 main event

Time of India28-04-2025

Current titleholder
Belal Muhammad
has the support of former UFC welterweight champion
Georges St-Pierre
, who called him the complete package as he prepares for his first title defence against
Jack Della Maddalena
at
UFC 315
.
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Canadian MMA legend believes Belal Muhammad's well-rounded skill set will be a big advantage in the championship bout against him, set for May 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Georges St-Pierre praises Belal Muhammad's versatile fighting arsenal
In an interview, Georges St-Pierre analysed the stylistic matchup between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, noting that while the Australian challenger may have an edge in striking, the fight extends beyond just stand-up exchanges.
"Belal is the complete package—he's good everywhere,"
St-Pierre stated.
"He's got a very awkward style that throws a lot of people off, especially in the striking department."
The UFC Hall of Famer emphasised that Belal Muhammad's diverse skill set makes him particularly dangerous in a mixed martial arts context rather than a pure striking battle.
The overall dynamics of mixed martial arts favour Belal Muhammad, Georges St-Pierre said, adding that while Jack Della Maddalena may have an edge in the striking department, Belal Muhammad also has an edge in the grappling department.
Since the contest is not restricted to kickboxing, St-Pierre said Muhammad will be able to take advantage of the greater skill set needed in MMA.
Championship experience may prove decisive in Montreal showdown
The welterweight championship clash is a fascinating clash of styles. Leon Edwards was dethroned by Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 last July, and, after 10 fights without a defeat, he enters the Octagon on a remarkable streak. Jack Della Maddalena, who has secured his title shot after seven straight wins in the UFC, 12 of his 17 professional wins by knockout, also enters the Octagon on a remarkable streak.
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In the case of Georges St-Pierre, who will be in attendance at UFC 315 to corner his Tristar teammate Aiemann Zahabi, beating a champion such as Belal Muhammad is a puzzle that's hard to solve. Success against the champion, Georges St-Pierre added, is all down to
'cracking the code,'
and nobody has managed to do so yet, which is why he is at the top.
Both Belal Muhammad and Georges St-Pierre have received similar criticism throughout their careers, with fans accusing the two of 'boring', methodical, wrestling-heavy methods, even though they've been effective.
Belal Muhammad himself admitted to this parallel on The Grin Reaper's podcast, admitting that, like GSP before him, winning is still more important than entertainment value.
The main card of UFC 315 will be available on pay-per-view through ESPN+ on Saturday, May 10, for fans to watch live from the Bell Center in Montreal.
Also Read:
Georges St-Pierre's strategic knowledge and the historical aspect of bringing the welterweight title back to Montreal also ensure that this championship showdown will be a technical masterclass that could also help cement Belal Muhammad's legacy in the division where the Canadian icon reigned.

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Adam Scott at another US Open and headed for century mark in the majors
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Adam Scott at another US Open and headed for century mark in the majors

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"He's always at you": Steve Smith praises Rabada's relentless skill after five-wicket haul in WTC final
"He's always at you": Steve Smith praises Rabada's relentless skill after five-wicket haul in WTC final

India Gazette

timean hour ago

  • India Gazette

"He's always at you": Steve Smith praises Rabada's relentless skill after five-wicket haul in WTC final

London [UK], June 12 (ANI): Australia's veteran batter Steve Smith heaped praise on South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada after his five-wicket haul on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's. Rabada ran through the Australian batting line-up with figures of 5/51, helping bowl out the opposition for 212 in the first innings. Smith believes it's Rabada's consistency and competitive spirit that make him a formidable opponent. 'I wouldn't say he doesn't move it around. I think he's got good skills. He can shape the ball away; he can nibble it both ways. He's relentless; he's always at you. He's always up for the challenge, he charges in all day and his record speaks for itself, doesn't it? He's a quality bowler and showed that again today,' Smith said in the post-day press conference, acknowledging Rabada's impact, as quoted from ICC. Rabada's performance was not just significant in the context of the match, but also historically. With his five-wicket haul, he surpassed South African fast bowling great Allan Donald to become the fourth-highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Test cricket. Rabada now has 332 wickets from 71 Tests, edging past Donald's tally of 330 in 72 matches. His five-wicket haul also earned him a rare spot in the record books. Rabada became only the second bowler to take a five-for in a WTC final, following New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson, who achieved the feat against India in the 2021 final. Additionally, Rabada became just the second South African bowler after Jacques Kallis, who took 5/30 in the ICC Knockout Trophy final in 1998, to register a five-wicket haul in the final of a major ICC tournament. Rabada's overall record in knockout matches at ICC events continues to impress. He now has 11 wickets in five such matches, at an excellent average of 19.27. His five-for at Lord's on Wednesday is now his best performance in an ICC knockout game, taking him to third on South Africa's all-time list of wicket-takers in ICC knockouts, behind Jacques Kallis (14), and tied with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald (12 each). Lord's has been a happy hunting ground for Rabada. In just three Tests at the venue, he has now picked up 18 wickets at a staggering average of 16.83 and a strike rate of 30.2. With his performance against Australia, he also moved ahead of Morne Morkel (15 wickets) to become the South African with the most Test wickets at Lord's. Furthermore, he became only the third South African bowler to take multiple five-wicket hauls at the historic ground, joining the elite company of Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini. (ANI)

WTC Final 2025: Steve Smith registers series of milestones at Lord's; check details
WTC Final 2025: Steve Smith registers series of milestones at Lord's; check details

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

WTC Final 2025: Steve Smith registers series of milestones at Lord's; check details

Steve Smith played was brilliant with bat during the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, London on Wednesday (June 11). The Australian registered a series of significant milestones on Day 1 of the Test against South Africa. Steve Smith played a 66-run knock off 112 deliveries on Day 1 and helped to stabilize Australia's innings. The star batter surpassed cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Don Bradman, and Ajinkya Rahane in various record categories. Here's a detailed look at Smith's performance and the different feats achieved Steve Smith smashed fifty in the WTC final and registered his 7th fifty-plus score in ICC knockout matches. He surpassed Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar's tally of six. While Smith now leads Tendulkar in fifty-plus scores, he trails India's Virat Kohli, who dominates ICC knockouts. Virat Kohli: 1,024 runs in 22 matches, 1 century, 9 fifties. Steve Smith: 650 runs in 13 matches, 2 centuries, 5 fifties. Sachin Tendulkar: 682 runs in 15 matches, 1 century, 5 fifties. Steve Smith scored 66 runs in the final and became the leading run-getter among visiting batters in Test matches at Lord's. He surpassed Australian great Warren Bardsley to top the list. His record at the iconic venue includes three fifties and two centuries, with a career-best 215 during the 2015 Ashes. List of top run-scorers at Lord's among visiting batters Steve Smith (Australia): 591 runs in 10 innings Warren Bardsley (Australia): 575 runs in 7 innings Garry Sobers (West Indies): 571 runs in 9 innings Don Bradman (Australia): 551 runs in 8 innings Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies): 512 runs in 9 innings Steve Smith moved past India's Ajinkya Rahane to become the leading run-scorer in WTC final history. His second fifty-plus score in WTC finals, achieved off just 74 deliveries, highlights his consistency in the format. The top run-scorers in the WTC finals Steve Smith (Australia): 201 runs in 3 innings Ajinkya Rahane (India): 199 runs in 4 innings Travis Head (Australia): 192 runs in 3 innings Rohit Sharma (India): 122 runs in 4 innings Virat Kohli (India): 120 runs in 4 innings South Africa's decision to bowl first went in their favour as Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, dismantled the Australian batting line-up. The Kangaroos were struggling at 67/4 in the opening session. However, Smith came to bat and anchored the innings to contribute significant runs in the total of 212. His innings ended when part-time spinner Aiden Markram dismissed him for 66. Steve Smith has equaled Ricky Ponting's record for the most ICC tournament final appearances, reaching his sixth final. Smith's ICC final appearances include the 2010 T20 World Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup, 2021 T20 World Cup, 2023 World Test Championship, 2023 ODI World Cup, and the ongoing 2025 WTC Final. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma lead with nine appearances each, followed by Ravindra Jadeja with eight and Yuvraj Singh with seven. Smith, a former leg-spinner turned elite batter, has won four of his five previous ICC finals.

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