Behind the UFC 315 Disaster: Will Belal Muhammad Return After the Horrific Lip Laceration and Facial Fracture?

Belal Muhammad went into UFC 315 with the heart of a champion, determined to defend or reclaim his place atop the welterweight division. What unfolded on May 10, 2025, however, was not just a title fight—it was a five-round war that will be remembered as one of the most violent, high-paced, and punishing battles in recent UFC memory. Facing the surging Jack Della Maddalena, the former champion endured an onslaught of strikes that ultimately cost him the belt and left his face heavily damaged.

Despite not being finished, Belal Muhammad took extraordinary punishment during the bout, and his courage inside the octagon only further elevated his reputation with fans. Now, the focus turns to his recovery—with a detailed breakdown of his injuries and how long it might take before we see him back in action.

A Fight to Remember: Brutal Numbers, Relentless Action

From the very first round, the pace of the fight was blistering. Both fighters stood toe-to-toe and traded strikes, each willing to absorb shots in order to land their own. It was a technical and savage display of high-level MMA.

• Jack Della Maddalena landed 200 total strikes, 178 of which were significant.

• Belal Muhammad landed 155 total strikes, 132 of them significant.

• Muhammad actually landed more head shots (119 to 113), but absorbed far more damage overall.

By the end of round five, Belal’s face told the story—cut open, swollen, and bloodied, yet still standing. Despite losing by decision, Muhammad earned praise across the MMA world for his toughness, durability, and refusal to break under immense pressure.

Belal Muhammad’s Injuries: A Brutal Aftermath

Following the war, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Belal Muhammad’s injuries were severe and would sideline him for a considerable period. A post-fight Instagram update from Muhammad’s team, along with statements from the UFC medical staff, revealed a complete list of injuries.

1. Split Lip Requiring Surgery

The most visible damage came in the form of a horrifically split lower lip, which reportedly tore during a flurry from Maddalena in the third round. According to Dana White, the cut was deep enough to require plastic surgery, likely involving stitches both internally and externally. A facial specialist will handle the procedure to minimize long-term scarring.

Estimated recovery time: 6–8 weeks before contact training resumes.

2. Broken Nose

Muhammad also suffered a fractured nose, a common but still painful injury in MMA. This kind of trauma typically results from repeated straight punches and elbows, which Maddalena used effectively throughout the fight. The break affects breathing and conditioning, and requires up to two months of non-contact recovery, followed by reevaluation.

Estimated recovery time: 6–10 weeks depending on severity and if surgery is needed.

3. Broken Orbital Bone

Perhaps the most serious of the three injuries is the broken orbital bone—a fracture around the eye socket that often leads to vision problems, swelling, and a long road to full recovery. Fighters with orbital fractures are usually monitored closely to ensure no permanent eye damage occurs.

Depending on whether surgery is required (which is likely in Muhammad’s case), this could sideline him for 3–6 months, and full contact sparring may not be allowed until swelling and bone density return to normal.

Estimated recovery time: 4–6 months.

How Long Will Belal Muhammad Be Out?

Combining all of the injuries and their timelines, Belal Muhammad is expected to be out of action until late 2025, potentially returning around November or December if all goes according to plan.

• Light conditioning could resume by July–August 2025

• Sparring and full training may resume by October

• Realistic fight return window: UFC 325 or UFC 326, late 2025

Of course, the UFC medical team and Muhammad’s personal doctors will have the final say. If complications arise, especially with the orbital fracture, the timeline could stretch into early 2026.

Fan Reaction and the Warrior’s Legacy

While Belal Muhammad didn’t leave the octagon with the title, he exited with something arguably more enduring: respect from the MMA world. Fighters like Gilbert Burns, Colby Covington, and even Leon Edwards took to social media to applaud his toughness and warrior spirit.

Fans online described his performance as “valiant,” “gritty,” and “one of the gutsiest displays we’ve seen in years.” MMA analysts were quick to compare the fight to classic five-round wars, citing its drama and relentless pace.

This performance, win or lose, may go down as Muhammad’s defining moment—a testament to his heart and endurance.

What’s Next for Belal Muhammad?

Once healed, there are multiple pathways for Belal Muhammad’s return:

1. A Rematch with Jack Della Maddalena

Given how close and competitive the fight was—despite the damage—there is already talk of a rematch down the line. If Muhammad returns and wins a comeback bout impressively, he could line himself up for another title shot.

2. Top Contender Fight

Should the UFC prefer fresh matchups, Muhammad could face another top-5 opponent like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Gilbert Burns, or Kamaru Usman if the veteran decides to fight again. These matchups would keep Muhammad in the spotlight while testing his ability to bounce back.

3. Time to Rebuild Slowly

At 36 years old and with a long road to recovery ahead, there is also a chance Muhammad chooses a more gradual return, possibly with a high-profile but lower-risk matchup to ease back into the octagon after the damage he sustained.

A Champion at Heart, Regardless of the Belt

Whether or not he ever holds UFC gold again, Belal Muhammad has proven himself as one of the toughest and most respected fighters in the sport. His performance at UFC 315, though painful, was also poetic—a representation of the grit, sacrifice, and unpredictability that makes MMA so compelling.

Fighters get hurt. They bleed, they fall, and they suffer. But true warriors—like Muhammad—get up, heal, and return stronger. The MMA world now watches, waiting for his comeback, inspired by what he gave in that cage.