The UFC is back in Canada as Centre Bell hosts a PPV event for the first time in 10 years. The headliner sees a Welterweight title bout between the defending champion, Belal Muhammad, and the #5 contender, Jack Della Maddalena. The Co-Main Event showcases a Women's Flyweight title fight as Valentina Shevchenko makes her first defence in her second reign as champion against the #2 contender, Manon Fiorot. Here is everything you need to know before it all kicks off in Montreal.
early prelims
Brad Katona vs Bekzat Almakhan (Bantamweight Bout) - Katona suffered another unanimous decision loss in his last fight, losing to Jean Matsumoto at UFC Vegas 99. Superman rarely finishes a fight, but in terms of stoppage wins, he holds four submissions and one knockout victory which came on his MMA debut. The Canadian has a great chance to redeem himself in his own country, especially since he lost in the last Canadian PPV event in Toronto at UFC 297.
Almakhan's eight-fight winning streak was snapped in his last bout when he faced former Bantamweight title challenger, Umar Nurmagomedov, losing by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 87. The Turan Warrior has only earned one decision win, with nine of his 11 wins on his MMA record ending by KO/TKO. Despite losing on his UFC debut in his last fight, Almakhan still has the opportunity to claim a first win under the organisation.
Daniel Santos vs Lee Jeong Yeong (Featherweight Bout) - Santos is currently on a two-fight winning streak after defeating Johnny Munoz in his last fight by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 74. Out of 12 victories, the Brazilian has stopped six of his opponents by KO/TKO and two by submission. Santos has not been very active since June 2023, but he could still end victorious whilst clearing off some ring rust.
Jeong Yeong was stopped for the first time in his career when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Hyder Amil at UFC Vegas 94. The Korean Tiger has earned four KO/TKO triumphs and three submissions, with five of those stoppage wins ending in the first round. The South Korean fighter is looking to put himself back on the win column as he makes his first appearance at a UFC PPV event.
Marc-Andre Barriault vs Bruno Silva (Middleweight Bout) - Barriault is standing on a three-fight losing streak after he was defeated by first-round TKO against Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC Edmonton in his last bout. Powerbar doesn't often go the distance in his battles as 10 of his 16 wins have ended by KO/TKO, making him a problem on the feet. Barrialut's UFC career is in the balance as he must win in front of his home crowd if he wants to stay in the organisation.
Silva is on a four-fight losing streak with his most recent loss coming against Ismail Naurdiev by unanimous decision at UFC 308. Blindado is also an issue on the feet as he has defeated 20 of his 27 conquered opponents by KO/TKO. The Brazilian's stint in the UFC is also in serious danger as he has to pull off one hell of a victory, in enemy territory, to keep himself in the biggest MMA promotion.
preliminary card
Navajo Stirling vs Ivan Erslan (Light Heavyweight Bout) - Stirling made his UFC debut in his last fight and succeeded when he defeated Tuco Tokkos by unanimous decision at UFC Tampa. The New Zealand mixed martial artist likes to keep his battles on the feet as four of his six wins have ended by KO/TKO. Stirling is looking to maintain his undefeated record and claim his first stoppage win in the organisation as he could be a future prospect in the Light Heavyweight division.
Erslan made his UFC debut in his last bout but was unsuccessful as he lost to Ion Cutelaba by split decision at UFC Paris. Just like his opponent, the Croatian likes to strike with his enemies as he holds 10 victories by KO/TKO and all of his finishes have ended in the first round. The Obrovac-born fighter is searching for his first win in the UFC and could achieve it while defeating an undefeated opponent.
Modestas Bukauskas vs Ion Cutelaba (Light Heavyweight Bout) - Bukauskas is currently on a two-fight winning streak after stopping Rafael Cerqueira in his last fight by first-round knockout. The Baltic Gladiator rarely goes the distance in his battles as he claims 10 KO/TKO wins and three submissions. With six triumphs in his last seven fights, the Lithuanian could be on track to soon entering the Light Heavyweight rankings, if he can defeat a former contender of the division.
Cutelaba began his winning streak at UFC Seattle when he submitted Ibo Aslan by first-round submission. The Hulk doesn't often go to the judges scorecards as out of 19 victories, 13 have ended by KO/TKO and three by submission. Cutelaba has managed to find his flow back since 2023 as his redemption arc is gradually going up.
Jessica Andrade vs Jasmine Jasudavicius (Women's Flyweight Bout) - Andrade's two-fight winning streak came to an end in her last battle as she lost to Natalia Silva by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 97. Bate Estaca likes to stop a fight as she holds 10 KO/TKO victories and eight submissions from 26 wins in her MMA career. The #7 Flyweight contender has been fighting more actively in the Strawweight division, but she is wanting to maintain her spot in the top 10 at 125 pounds.
Jasudavicius is on a four-fight winning streak with her last victory coming against Mayra Bueno Silva by unanimous decision at UFC Saudi Arabia. The Canadian has earned five stoppage wins in her career, two ending by KO/TKO and three by submission. The #9 Flyweight contender is currently a big prospect in the division and could be a future title challenger, if she can defeat a former title challenger herself.
Mike Malott vs Charles Radtke (Welterweight Bout) - Malott lost his 100% finish rate, but still won his last fight to earn redemption as he defeated Trevin Giles by unanimous decision at UFC Edmonton. The Burlington-born fighter rarely goes the distance as four of his wins have ended by KO/TKO while six have been stopped by submission. Malott fights on his fourth PPV event and after suffering a loss in his last one, he will aim to make the most of it at the Centre Bell.
Radtke redeemed a knockout loss with a first-round TKO win of his own, defeating Matthew Semelsberger at UFC Vegas 100. Chuck Buffalo has stopped seven of his 10 conquered opponents as he's earned five KO/TKO victories and two submissions. The Chicago fighter is looking to start a second winning streak in the UFC as he tries to claim his first win of 2025.
main card
Benoit Saint-Denis vs Kyle Prepolec (Lightweight Bout) - Saint-Denis increased his unfortunate run when he suffered a second-round TKO (Doctor Stoppage) loss to Renato Moicano at UFC Paris. The God of War has a 100% finish rate with 13 victories, stopping nine of those by KO/TKO and four by submission. The #13 Lightweight contender is in desperate need of redemption in order to stay in the 155-pound rankings, especially since he hasn't won since November 2023.
Prepolec is currently on a three-fight winning streak and makes his return to the UFC after a first-round TKO win over Gustavo Wurlitzer at BTC 24. Killshot has 18 victories in MMA with 10 ending by KO/TKO and four by submission. Prepolec is aiming to defy the odds on short notice against his opponent as after an unsuccessful first stint in the organisation, he looks to pull off the ultimate underdog win in his home territory.
Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva (Women's Flyweight Bout) - Grasso lost her UFC Flyweight title in her last fight, suffering an unanimous decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306. The Mexican often goes to the judges scorecards in her fights, but has been known to stop some battles with four KO/TKO wins and two submissions. The #1 contender is eyeing redemption in Canada and could place herself back in title contention and possibly set up a quadrilogy with the current champion.
Silva currently stands on a 12-fight winning streak after winning her last bout by unanimous decision against Jessica Andrade at UFC Vegas 97. The Brazilian can be a problem on the feet and on the ground as she holds five KO/TKO victories and seven submissions. The #5 Flyweight contender has the chance to fight for UFC gold if she can defeat the former Queen of the 125-pound division.
Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi (Bantamweight Bout) - Aldo just missed out on starting a win streak in his last fight when he lost to Mario Bautista by split decision at UFC 307. The former UFC Featherweight Champion loves to keep his battles on the feet, and try to knock his opponents out, as he holds 17 KO/TKO wins. The #11 Bantamweight contender is looking to get back in the win column, in enemy territory, before trying to rise up the 135-pound rankings.
Zahabi is on a five-fight winning streak after securing an unanimous decision victory against Pedro Munhoz at UFC Edmonton. The Canadian has stopped eight of his 12 enemies with six wins coming by KO/TKO and two by submissions. The #15 Bantamweight contender has the chance to keep himself in the rankings and defeat a former UFC champion, making his resume look even better.
Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot (Women's Flyweight Title Bout) - Shevchenko eventually regained the Women's Flyweight throne after her trilogy fight with Alexa Grasso at the Sphere. The Bullet has 24 wins in her MMA career with eight of those victories ending by KO/TKO and seven by submission. The Queen of the Flyweights will be looking to make the most of her second reign as champion as she aims to have more UFC title wins than Amanda Nunes.
Fiorot earned her title shot back in March 2024 when she defeated Erin Blanchfield by unanimous decision at UFC Atlantic City. The Beast prefers to stand up on strike with her opponents as six of her 12 victories have ended by KO/TKO. The #2 Flyweight contender has not lost since her MMA debut as she tries to become the fourth fighter to become UFC Women's Flyweight Champion.
Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena (Welterweight Title Bout) - Muhammad became UFC Welterweight Champion in his last fight after defeating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 304. The Palestinian has won the majority of his fights by decision, but has on an occasion defeated his enemies with a stoppage win, earning five KO/TKO wins. The King of the 170-pound division sits on an 11-fight unbeaten streak and looks to be unstoppable if he can succeed in his first title defence.
Della Maddalena earned an incredible comeback win when he defeated Gilbert Burns by third-round TKO at UFC 299, putting himself in title contention. The Australian has 17 triumphs in his MMA career, stopping 12 of his opponents by KO/TKO and two by submission. The #5 Welterweight contender has not lost since his second MMA bout as he has the ultimate opportunity to become the new champion of the division, while sitting on a 17-fight winning streak.
Who will end the night as champion in the Main and Co-Main Event of UFC 315? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
TikTok: Combat Talk With The Ox
Add comment
Comments