The UFC is heading back to Montreal with a bang, as two massive title fights are set to headline UFC 315 at the Bell Centre on May 10th. In the main event, newly crowned welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will make his first title defense against white-hot contender Jack Della Maddalena. The co-main event sees Valentina Shevchenko put her recently regained flyweight belt on the line against French striking sensation Manon Fiorot.
Muhammad Faces Surging Della Maddalena in Main Event
Belal “Remember The Name” Muhammad (24-3) finally captured UFC gold last July, putting on a shutout performance to dethrone Leon Edwards and claim the welterweight championship. He was initially slated to make his first title defense against top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov in December, but a foot injury forced the newly minted champ to withdraw.
With Rakhmonov still on the shelf, the UFC has turned to Australian phenom Jack Della Maddalena (17-2) to challenge for the title. Della Maddalena has been a force of nature since joining the promotion, rattling off 17 straight victories including a scintillating KO of Vicente Luque in his last outing. The Aussie was scheduled to face Edwards in a title eliminator on March 22nd, but will now jump the line for his first shot at UFC gold.
With both men riding incredible win streaks and known for their thrilling fighting styles, the Muhammad-Della Maddalena matchup has all the makings of an instant classic.
Keys to Victory for the Champion
For Belal Muhammad to retain his title, he will need to utilize his elite wrestling and pressure fighting to neutralize Della Maddalena’s explosive striking. The champion averages over 3 takedowns per 15 minutes in the Octagon, and will look to drag the Aussie into deep waters with his relentless grappling attack.
- Secure early takedowns to tire out the challenger
- Use clinch wrestling to avoid Della Maddalena’s power shots
Path to Victory for the Challenger
On the other side, Jack Della Maddalena will aim to keep the fight standing and unleash his dynamic kickboxing arsenal. The Glory Kickboxing veteran has finished 14 of his 17 MMA wins by KO/TKO, and packs fight-ending power in both hands.
- Maintain distance with footwork and long-range strikes
- Defend takedowns with sprawls and quick stand-ups
Tale of the Tape: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena
| Belal Muhammad | Jack Della Maddalena | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 34 | 26 |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in | 6 ft 0 in |
| Reach | 73 in | 76 in |
| Win-Loss | 24-3 | 17-2 |
Shevchenko Starts New Flyweight Reign vs. Fiorot
In the co-main event, all-time great Valentina Shevchenko (29-4-1) begins her second reign as flyweight queen by taking on rising star Manon Fiorot (12-1). “Bullet” regained the 125-pound strap last September, avenging her sole submission loss to Alexa Grasso and re-staking her claim as one of MMA’s most dominant champions.
Looking to end Shevchenko’s second term before it truly begins is France’s Manon Fiorot, who has torn through the flyweight ranks with 12 straight victories including recent wins over former champions Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield. The multiple-time kickboxing world champion will aim to match Shevchenko strike-for-strike en route to UFC gold.
Two elite strikers renowned for their pinpoint accuracy and clinical precision – the Shevchenko-Fiorot clash promises to be a technical showcase between two of the best female fighters on the planet.
What to Watch For
This battle could ultimately be decided by who is able to dictate the range and rhythm of the striking exchanges. Shevchenko’s diverse Muay Thai arsenal and fluid counters have befuddled opponents for years, but Fiorot will look to use her educated jab and blitzing combinations to take control from the outside.
- Fiorot must pressure early without overcommitting
- Shevchenko’s counter-striking is key to disrupting Fiorot’s offense
Potential X-Factors
While primarily a striking affair, don’t be surprised if grappling comes into play if either woman is getting the better of the standup. Shevchenko’s trips and tosses from the clinch could earn her crucial top control minutes, while Fiorot’s underrated submission game might just catch the champion off-guard.
The Rest of UFC 315
Beyond the headliners, UFC 315 features several more high-stakes showdowns, including:
- Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva: Former flyweight champ Grasso looks to rebound against Brazilian striker Silva
- Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales: Elite welterweights jockey for title contention in a clash of grizzled veteran and surging prospect
With two legacy-defining title fights and a stacked undercard, UFC 315 is shaping up to be the promotion’s biggest event yet in 2025. Will Belal Muhammad’s reign continue, or can Jack Della Maddalena complete his meteoric rise? Does Valentina Shevchenko have Manon Fiorot’s number, or will a new flyweight era begin in Montreal? No matter the results, fireworks are guaranteed when the Octagon returns to Canada on May 10th.
