UFC 315 is just around the corner and there are two compelling title fights alongside a whole host of exciting fights elsewhere on the card. The UFC 315 headliner sees the welterweight championship on the line in Montreal as Belal Muhammad looks to defend the belt for the first time against streaking contender, Jack Della Maddalena. In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko looks to put her rivalry with Alexa Grasso behind her (for now) as she takes on Manon Fiorot in a battle for the 125lbs title.
With fun fights up and down the UFC 315 card, we take a look at not exactly who will win, but who the UFC brass wants to win.
UFC 315 Headliner – Muhammad vs JDM
The UFC 315 main event sees Muhammad make the walk, this time as the champion in an ever-exciting division. The welterweight king upset Leon Edwards last time out to capture the belt in a fight that showed his well-rounded skillset, with, of course, an emphasis on his wrestling ability.
Maddalena has been out of action since March 2024, when he scored an epic come-from-behind finish victory over Gilbert Burns. The Aussie native is 7-0 in the UFC with five finishes. His fan-friendly, exciting style has fans on the edge of their seats every time he steps into the octagon. At UFC 315, he’ll be looking to upset the champion and walk away with the belt.
Who do the UFC want to win the main event, however?
While it is just a hypothesis, there’s a good chance that the UFC brass don’t want Muhammad to win the UFC 315 main event. His fighting style isn’t compelling, nor are his mic skills. He’s holding up a move up in weight for Islam Makhachev due to them being teammates, something that the UFC will certainly look to do.
If JDM wins, there’s a good chance that Makhachev moves up to 170lbs. It opens up far more opportunities at both welterweight and lightweight, something that’s appealing to Dana White and co!
Co-Main Event – Shevchenko vs Fiorot
This one is a tough one to predict. If the fight stays on the feet, it’s competitive; if it hits the ground, the assumption is that Shevchenko has the advantage. Shevchenko wrestled her way back to the belt in The Sphere last September and as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! She’d be wise to do the same in this one.
Fiorot has been out of action for over a year, however, her last outing saw her go five rounds for the first time in the UFC. She 50-45’d Erin Blanchfield, being able to deny the takedown threat and outpointing her on the feet with ease. Before that, she managed to keep Rose Namajunas on her feet, denying all six of her attempts. She’s accurate with her strikes, lethal in the clinch and can mix the martial arts well when she needs to.
The UFC had to book this one, it was the only fight that made sense at flyweight. With that being said, neither fighter is a huge fan favourite. Fiorot doesn’t speak English; rather, she speaks in her native French, unlocking a different audience entirely, which will likely get her over in Canada this week. Shevchenko has a risk adverse style, which isn’t particularly fan-friendly, however, can pull out crazy performances like Jessica Eye and Katlyn Cerminara.
Let’s go with Fiorot in this one as the one who the UFC wants to win. If she does, it opens up a whole host of future opponents, whereas Shevchenko has largely cleared out the division.
Remainder of the Main Card
Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi
This is another tough one to call. All MMA fans love Jose Aldo. He’s a legend of the sport and his resurgence post-retirement has been decent, going 1-1. Aiemann Zahabi is unbeaten in his last five, however, at 37, he isn’t one for the future. He offers a little more in the future as opposed Aldo. Go with Zahabi in this one.
Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva
This one largely depends on the outcome of the main event, despite taking place beforehand. If Shevchenko wins, Natalia Silva offers her a new puzzle; if Fiorot wins, Grasso is the logical pick. She is the one who the UFC wants to be champion, however, a quadrilogy against Shevchenko doesn’t sell.
As of yet, we don’t know what fight will open the main card as Joel Alvarez has had to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Benoit St-Denis.
