Jack Della Maddalena claimed the welterweight title from Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315, showing off sublime striking to dethrone the wrestling specialist.
Della Maddalena was able to hold the centre of the Octagon and press forward for much of the five-round bout, switching stances frequently and tagging Muhammad with dozens of straight shots, as well as a knee that cut the Palestinian-American badly in round five.
Muhammad, 36, did not rely on his usually effective wrestling nearly enough, and when he did, his Australian challenger exhibited impressive defence. With that, “JDM” secured scorecards of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46, halting Muhammad’s 10-fight win streak and extending his own to a remarkable 18 bouts.
Della Maddalena, 28, ended Muhammad’s title reign during the latter’s first defence, and now the Aussie is expected to defend the strap against Muhammad’s friend Islam Makhachev – the reigning lightweight king, who has eyed welterweight gold but would not face Muhammad.
And in Saturday’s co-main event in Montreal, flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko extended her second reign atop the division, retaining the title against Manon Fiorot with a razor-close decision. Re-live the action and see all the results from the UFC 315 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 315 LIVE: Muhammad vs Della Maddalena
- Jack Della Maddalena outpoints Belal Muhammad to win welterweight title
- Muhammad's title reign ends during his very first defence
- Della Maddalena expected to defend belt against Islam Makhachev
- Lightweight king Makhachev said he wouldn't challenge friend Muhammad
- Valentina Shevchenko retains flyweight title with narrow decision against Manon Fiorot
UFC 315 LIVE: Jack Della Maddalena dethrones Belal Muhammad
06:53 , Alex Pattle
UFC 315 LIVE: Jack Della Maddalena dethrones Belal Muhammad
06:41 , Alex Pattle
UFC 315 LIVE: Jack Della Maddalena dethrones Belal Muhammad
06:33 , Alex PattleDella Maddalena: “It’s exactly how I thought it would feel.
“I should’ve been a bit sharper with my shots, but it is what it is. Coming in against someone like Belal with that sort of pressure wrestling, I couldn’t spend too long against the fence or on my back.
“I was gunning for a finish but Belal’s the man, he’s a tough dude, he’s hard to put away.”
On his expected first defence, against lightweight king Islam Makhachev, he says: “I think it’s a beautiful challenge, he’s pound-for-pound No 1, I’m gonna get him back for Volk.”
He’s referring to Makhachev’s two wins against Alexander Volkanovski, one of Australia’s other historical UFC champs.
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
06:29 , Alex PattleJack Della Maddalena def. Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
AND NEW! Well deserved. A fantastic striking performance from the Aussie, who also defended very well when Muhammad grappled (which was surprisingly little).
Credit to Muhammad for his heart and toughness, but his reign is short lived.
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
06:26 , Alex PattleRound five
This round could decide it! We’re inclined to think Della Maddalena is ahead, but there have been a couple of close rounds for sure.
Muhammad presses forward, kicking to the body. JDM skips to his right to avoid getting trapped against the fence.
JDM cuts Muhammad badly with a jumping knee! Both men land punches in the aftermath. Muhammad shoots, and JDM’s scramble doesn’t work; Muhammad has three minutes to work from half-guard.
Muhammad lands some elbows, but Della Maddalena is able to create space and stand! Two minutes to go!
JDM with two elbows, then two straight punches, the latter of which wobbles Muhammad! Left hook, right cross, another! Muhammad clinches against the fence to save himself!
Throw by Muhammad! But JDM is eventually able to roll through and stand! Big knee by him. Thirty seconds to go. Big cross on Muhammad! Overhand by the champ!
The buzzer sounds!
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
06:20 , Alex PattleRound four
Into the championship rounds. The second and third rounds were JDM’s, the first was closer but we also have it for the challenger. That means Muhammad needs some BIG rounds here...
Good start to the fourth for the champ, until he’s tagged by a one-two! Now both fighters land jabs on repeat.
Muhammad scores with an uppercut, eats a counter, and sees a takedown stuffed! We see a really scrappy phase now, with both men landing wild punches!
Muhammad is able to close range and grab JDM, and he takes the back against the fence. But, not for the first time, Della Maddalena reverses the position! Impressive grappling by the striking specialist.
The welterweights move into the open. Muhammad kicks high. He sees another takedown stuffed. Really fun round, might be Muhammad’s.
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
06:14Round three
Left hook to the body, right cross to the head of Muhammad. Lovely moment for JDM.
Irritating jabs from Della Maddalena. Front kicks by both men. Muhammad just misses with an overhand right. JDM kicks low.
Clean cross from Muhammad! But he needs to wrestle! Della Maddalena is landing his right hand almost at will – jabbing from southpaw.
Muhammad tries to trap JDM against the fence but walks onto two piston jabs. Finally he shoots, after landing a decent elbow to enter, but JDM stuffs it and even tries his own takedown before the buzzer!
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
06:07 , Alex PattleRound two
Plenty of activity from JDM as he holds the centre of the cage and edges forward.
Lots of kicks from the challenger and some tidy jabs. He’s switching stances so much, and Muhammad can’t make the appropriate reads.
In his recent successful outings, Muhammad has controlled the pace of his fights; so far, Della Maddalena has controlled the tempo. Muhammad needs to wrestle!
And as I say that, he shoots off of an overhand feint. But Della Maddalena defends well against the fence, getting himself free and into the open.
Good head movement from Della Maddalena, one of the better boxers in the UFC. The first round was close, but round two is surely JDM’s.
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
06:01 , Alex PattleRound one
Both welterweights stand orthodox. Decent jabs by JDM, who can’t quite find the mark with his cross. He kicks low a few times.
Muhammad with a decent one-two! He’s largely going backwards, but now he bursts forward with a jab and wide right hook. His striking really has gotten better.
He just about blocks a head kick, but JDM follows up with a cluster of punches. The Aussie is also switching stances back and forth.
After some fine striking from JDM, Muhammad finally shoots for a takedown, but he’s denied! A promising moment for JDM.
Good body kick by Muhammad. JDM catches a kick and lands an uppercut, but Muhammad comes back with an elbow. Fun first round!
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
05:56 , Alex PattleHere we go! Five rounds scheduled. If Belal is to win, he’ll likely need them all; if JDM is to take the belt, he likely does so inside the distance.
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
05:50 , Alex PattleLoud boos as Belal emerges!
He dances during his ring walk, a different vibe from him. “JDM”, meanwhile, is stoic.
Both fighters are in the cage...
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
05:49 , Alex PattleAs mentioned below, the main event will determine not only who leaves Montreal as welterweight champion, but also what the next title fight will be in the division. That is not unusual. Yet tonight’s headline bout will also influence the next lightweight title fight, causing a ripple effect that may even trickle to the heavyweight division.
This piece was originally written more speculatively, albeit based on a decent helping of logic, until UFC president Dana White confirmed on Thursday what we had planned to lay out below.
Here’s how Muhammad vs Della Maddalena will have ramifications on Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira and Shavkat Rakhmonov – and maybe even Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev!!
Why the UFC 315 main event will unlock the biggest fights of the year
UFC 315 LIVE: Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena
05:43 , Alex PattleOne fight to go, the main event!
Belal Muhammad defends the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena in a classic striker vs wrestler match-up, which could have wide-reaching ramifications in the UFC.
For grappling specialist Muhammad, this bout marks his first title defence, after he dethroned Leon Edwards with a comfortable decision in July. A December defence against Shavkat Rakhmonov fell through when the Palestinian-American champion sustained a bone infection, and an attempt to reschedule the bout for this spring failed, too, with Rakhmonov now injured.
As such, Della Maddalena was taken from March’s UFC London main event against Edwards and placed in this title clash in Montreal, Canada.
The Australian challenger enters the Bell Centre on a remarkable 17-fight win streak, though he has not fought since last March, as he required arm surgery after his stoppage of Gilbert Burns. Muhammad, meanwhile, is on a 10-fight win streak excluding his No Contest with Edwards in their first fight, in 2021.
The result of the main event will determine whether Islam Makhachev moves up to challenge for the 170lb gold, as the lightweight king has said he will not face his friend Muhammad.
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
05:36 , Alex PattleValentina Shevchenko def. Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Such a close fight, and the cards only show part of that; a few of the rounds themselves were very close.
But in the end... it’s “and STILL!”
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
05:33 , Alex PattleRound five
Hard knee in the clinch by Fiorot. Counter cross by Valentina.
Fiorot has yet another body lock against the fence for a while, but Shevchenko gets free.
Shevchenko with some intermittent strikes, including a Superman punch.
More cage control for Fiorot. She gets off a harsh knee and a slashing elbow.
We’ll go to the scorecards. That was close. Fiorot might JUST have done enough...
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
05:27 , Alex PattleShevchenko might need the final two rounds to win this!
She’s forced to defend another body lock, but lands another couple of impressive spinning back fists!
Once again, though, she finds herself trapped against the fence.
Now the champ tries her own takedown, securing a double-leg well... but Fiorot is straight back up!
OH! But with a few seconds to go, a short right hook drops Fiorot! It was a close round, but that snatches it for her.
2-2 heading into the fifth, most likely. But Fiorot’s corner tell her she needs a finish...
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
05:20Round three
Referee Marc Goddard actually did flag that illegal knee to Fiorot between rounds.
A slower frame here, but Fiorot lands some spiteful knees to the body in the clinch.
Lovely spinning back elbow by Shevchenko! But Fiorot reacts by trying a double-leg, and is able to settle for a body lock.
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
05:13Round two
Fiorot shoots for a takedown against the fence, but Shevchenko is able to stuff it and create separation.
Fiorot has the champ going backwards, but Shevchenko times a trip really nicely. Fiorot reacts well, however, sweeping Shevchenko over her. The pair stand.
Fiorot gets a body lock and drives Shevchenko to the fence, where she controls the champion for a while. Shevchenko gets free and narrowly avoids an elbow.
But Fiorot shoots again, and this time she gets Shevchenko down! That might steal her the round.
Fiorot also gets away with an illegal knee at the end of the round, but “Bullet” did block it.
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
05:04 , Alex PattleRound one
Here we go! Five rounds scheduled.
Both women stand southpaw. Fiorot holds the centre of the cage.
She gets off to a good start, but Shevchenko is starting to time some flurries when Fiorot closes range... and the challenger has a bloody nose already, courtesy of a right hook!
Her nose could be broken, even. Shevchenko with a well-timed takedown, and she’s in half-guard, trying to pass to side control.
Shevchenko controls Fiorot and fires off a slew of body shots from half-guard, until the buzzer sounds.
UFC 315 LIVE: Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
04:51The first of two title fights next! Valentina Shevchenko defends her flyweight belt against Manon Fiorot.
UFC 315 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi
04:43Aiemann Zahabi def. Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Wow! So no 10-8s given out in round three, which is fine, but surely at least one judge should’ve gone 29-28 to Aldo!
Aldo takes off his gloves and retires for the second time. “I just don’t think I have it anymore, I don’t think I have it in my heart, I can’t do this.”
Farewell, again, to an absolute legend of MMA.
UFC 315 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi
04:40 , Alex PattleOh! A right hand, a knee and a kick drop Zahabi, and Aldo chases him to the mat!!
Zahabi stands but he’s falling all over the place, as Aldo hunts him and seeks the killer blow!
Zahabi stands, and all of a sudden it’s Aldo who’s in trouble! He just looks exhausted as Zahabi throws one-twos and grabs a clinch for a knee.
Aldo fails a takedown attempt, and he’s eating hammer fists now! Zahabi is in his guard, and there are two minutes left! Aldo with bad damage around his left eye, slashing elbows from Zahabi...
The crowd chants for the Canadian, who has cut Aldo on the forehead! Zahabi’s brother, who coaches him, is yelling for him to finish the fight...
Aldo survives to the buzzer, but that final round might have cost him the fight!
UFC 315 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi
04:33Round two
Aldo with a really promising round two. He’s targeting the head and body effectively. It’s a shame he doesn’t use his old-school low kicks much anymore, but he doesn’t especially need them right now.
A knee accidentally catches Aldo on the cup, so there’s a brief break before the action resumes. Zahabi apologises.
Before too long, however, Zahabai kicks low and the action is paused again.
Back under way. Zahabi has a bit more boxing success late in the round, with straight and winging shots.
UFC 315 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi
04:26Round one
Both fighters stand orthodox. Aldo presses forward early. He sees a high kick blocked. Lots of skipping to the right by Zahabi.
The crowd chants for the Canadian, who is staggered by a trio of hooks! Zahabi retreats. Now a low kick stumbles Zahabi.
Pair of body hooks by Aldo – classic. Now it’s Zahabi who comes forward, but Aldo throws with a lot of variety to deter him.
Oh! Knee to the body and hook upstairs in the clinch! Great work by Zahabi.
UFC 315 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi
04:14 , Alex PattleOkay, former featherweight king Jose Aldo faces Canada’s own Aiemann Zahabi next.
The bout is at featherweight, though it was first scheduled for bantamweight; Aldo was on course to miss weight, and so the fight was altered.
Zahabi has Canadian UFC great Georges St-Pierre in his corner.
UFC 315 LIVE: Vitor Belfort to enter Hall of Fame
04:12 , Alex PattleIt’s announced that former light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
A controversial figure, the Brazilian failed a drug test during his fighting career, and Michael Bisping has never let him live it down.
In any case, Belfort, 48, is visibly emotional, wiping away tears.
UFC 315 LIVE: Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva
04:02 , Alex PattleRound three
Grasso shoots for a double-leg against the fence, but Silva defends really well and is able to reverse the position – but only after eating a knee in the clinch.
Now the flyweights are out in the open. Grasso, knowing she needs a finish, is trying to produce the punch to get it done... but eats a head kick! Oh!
That has cut her under the eye, too.
Silva switches stances back and forth before the final buzzer sounds, and we await the scorecards.
Natalia Silva def. Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Watch out for Silva in the title picture! In fact, the flyweight belt is on the line two fights from now...
UFC 315 LIVE: Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva
03:56 , Alex PattleRound two
Grasso marches forward but a loose one-two is punished, as Silva connects with a smart check hook.
Grasso is struggling to get past Silva’s hands at the moment.
There are certain bad habits that Grasso could exploit, however; for example, Silva tends to move back in a straight line and with her chin up when certain pressure is applied.
There are some boos after a period of inactivity, with Silva skipping from left to right now and just flicking out the occasional jab.
Oh! The crowd is happier with that! A frenzied striking exchange caps off round two, with both fighters landing punches at close range.
UFC 315 LIVE: Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva
03:50Round one
Both women stand orthodox, Silva is pressing forward in the early going.
Stern jab by Grasso! That beats a left hook from Silva, though the latter has shown some crisp striking already.
And just as I say that... Silva throws a high kick and slips, and Grasso rushes to close distance as the Brazilian stands. The Mexican overcommits, though, and Silva denies a double-leg attempt.
Side kick to the face by Silva, as the pair return to the centre of the cage! Now a front kick to the body. She sees a high kick blocked as Grasso kicks low.
Spinning back kick effort by Silva now, but she’s a bit too close.
UFC 315 LIVE: Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva
03:42Down to the women’s flyweight division now, where former champ Alexa Grasso faces Natalia Silva.
UFC 315 LIVE: Benoit Saint-Denis vs Kyle Prepolec
03:30 , Alex PattleRound two
Decent elbow by Prepolec on his fellow southpaw. Saint-Denis shoots for a takedown but is denied.
Hard body kick by BSD, and Prepolec looks to be in trouble briefly as Saint-Denis adds a flurry of punches upstairs.
We have a break now, though, for an eye poke by Prepolec. Soon we’re back under way, and Prepolec stings BSD with the first shot he throws!
Saint-Denis marches down Prepolec and lands some punches but with his chin jutting right out, so he’s tagged clean by some counters, too!
This is turning into a war. BSD mixes in knees and elbows alongside straight punches, and Prepolec has no answer at the moment... but he’s so tough!
BSD gets the Canadian down and locks in an arm-triangle choke... and there’s the tap!
Benoit Saint-Denis def. Kyle Prepolec via second-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 2:35)
UFC 315 LIVE: Benoit Saint-Denis vs Kyle Prepolec
03:26 , Alex PattleRound one
Saint-Denis is a heavy betting favourite in this one, as he aims to bounce back from stoppage losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.
The Frenchman immediately gets a double-leg takedown, driving Prepolec to the fence to finish it. BSD soon has the back and is trying to isolate an arm, to open the window for a rear naked choke...
Now he switches to elbows! And back to the choke... no joy... so back to strikes. Now back to the choke again, but Prepolec fights the hands and stands.
The lightweights move away from the fence, but BSD still has the back, and he drags down the Canadian...
Saint-Denis still can’t finish the choke, but he’s in control and makes sure to throw some more strikes. Prepolec stands as BSD locks in the RNC once more, but Prepolec makes it to the buzzer!
UFC 315 LIVE: Benoit Saint-Denis vs Kyle Prepolec
03:14 , Alex PattleA lightweight showdown to begin the main card!
After Joel Alvarez withdrew due to injury, the UFC drafted in Canada’s own Kyle Prepolec to face the always-entertaining “BSD”.
UFC 315 LIVE: Main card incoming
02:53The main card is coming up very shortly! Here’s how it looks:
Belal Muhammad (C) vs Jack Della Maddalena (welterweight title)
Valentina Shevchenko (C) vs Manon Fiorot (women’s flyweight)
Jose Aldo vs Aiemann Zahabi (featherweight; changed from bantam as Aldo failed to make weight)
Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva (women’s flyweight)
Benoit Saint-Denis vs Kyle Prepolec (lightweight)
UFC 315 LIVE: Mike Malott vs Charles Radtke
02:44 , Alex PattleRound two
Malott gets the finish early in round two!! He drops Radtke with a left hook and forces the ref to step in with some well-timed ground and pound!
Mike Malott def. Charles Radtke via second-round TKO (left hook and ground and pound, 0:26)
A 'PROPER' KNOCKOUT ON HOME SOIL 👊@Michael_Malott earns the Round 2 KO in Montreal 🇨🇦
— UFC (@ufc) May 11, 2025
[ #UFC315 LIVE NOW on @ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/IKGB5Zb1nx ] pic.twitter.com/rnhTJBTw5m
UFC 315 LIVE: Mike Malott vs Charles Radtke
02:43 , Alex PattleWe round out the prelims with a welterweight tilt between Canada’s own Mike Malott and opponent Charles Radtke.
Round one
Malott stands southpaw, Radtke orthodox. Malott with an oblique kick then a side kick to the body,
There’s a loudddd chant of, “F*** you, Radtke,” from the Canadian fans...
Radtke is having intermittent success with some blitzes, but he walks onto a combination of punches now, and they snap back his head!
Malott with a high kick and some punches to follow up, as he drives back Radtke.
More oblique kicks to deter Radtke, who is trying to get back on the front foot.
UFC 315 LIVE: Jessica Andrade vs Jasmine Jasudavicius
02:15 , Alex PattleRound one
Jasudavicius with a lightning start. She gets down Andrade and takes the back, looking for a rear naked choke...
She has Andrade flattened out and throws a few strikes, but goes back to the choke...
And Andrade taps! Just like that, it’s all over!
And in the aftermath, Jasudavicius is getting her jiu-jitsu black belt, lovely moment.
Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Jessica Andrade via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:40)
UFC 315 LIVE: Modestas Bukauskas vs Ion Cutelaba
02:00 , Alex PattleRound three
Cutelaba goes back to the well with a series of low kicks, before diving for a double-leg takedown. Great defence from Bukauskas, although he’s now being held against the fence.
He gets free but is on the back foot, circling away from Cutelaba for a long spell now.
Nice one-two from Bukauskas as he looks to regain some respect.
Again, however, Cutelaba is able to hold the British-Lithuanian against the fence.
A fun striking exchange heralds the final buzzer, and we await the scorecards.
Modestas Bukauskas def. Ion Cutelaba via split decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)
Some strange scorecards, but for our money, Bukauskas was a worthy winner after a close fight. The commentary seemed quite pro-Cutelaba.
UFC 315 LIVE: Modestas Bukauskas vs Ion Cutelaba
01:54 , Alex PattleRound two
Cutelaba closes range and looks to make things scrappy, but Bukauskas clinches before sending his opponent flying with a right hand.
Cutelaba looks cognisant; it might have been more of a balance issue that saw him go down.
Now we have some grappling along the fence, with Bukauskas in charge for a while, until Cutelaba reverses the position and lands some good knees to the body.
The pair eventually move back into the open. Bukauskas is sporting a slight cut around his left eye.
Oh! A wild exchange now, both men landing hooks at close range!
UFC 315 LIVE: Modestas Bukauskas vs Ion Cutelaba
01:48 , Alex PattleWe stay in the light-heavyweight division for the next bout, as British-Lithuanian 205lber Modestas Bukauskas takes on Ion Cutelaba.
Round one
Both fighters stand orthodox. Lots of twitching feints from each of them.
Cutelaba just misses with an overhand right. He kicks low several times. Bukauskas times a cross over one of those kicks.
And another cross by Bukauskas! But he eats one now, before blocking a high kick.
Bukauskas’s range management has been good overall. He again darts in and out to land a cross. He adds two more as we enter the final minute of the round.
Bukauskas barely misses with a spinning back kick in the final seconds.
UFC 315 LIVE: Navajo Stirling vs Ivan Erslan
01:30Round three
Stirling lands a knee up the middle, but Erslan immediately fires back with a left hook.
Stirling shoots for a single-leg from quite a way out, but he’s able to get Erslan back to the fence anyway.
Oh! A right hand rocks Erslan against the fence, and he drops to his knees as Stirling pours on strikes! Erslan is able to grab a single-leg to slow down Stirling, and eventually Erslan stands as well!
He beckons on Stirling and the crowd, who are in a frenzy now, but that might not have been a good idea! Stirling is battering him again, and Erslan drops once more...
The final buzzer sounds as Stirling lands punch after punch from the back. To the scorecards we go.
Navajo Stirling def. Ivan Erslan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
UFC 315 LIVE: Navajo Stirling vs Ivan Erslan
01:24 , Alex PattleRound two
Erslan shoots for a takedown. He can’t quite get a grip around the legs, but he locks his hands around Stirling’s waist.
He drives Stirling to the cage, but Stirling is able to reverse the position and trip Erslan.
Erslan gets back to his feet, and now HE reverses the position! He’s holding Stirling against the fence midway through the round.
The 205lbers eventually separate, and they’re back at striking range. Stirling is briefly southpaw.
He switches stances back and forth and continues to use kicks to the body. Meanwhile, Erslan gets back to those right crosses.
UFC 315 LIVE: Navajo Stirling vs Ivan Erslan
01:18 , Alex PattleWe kick off the regular prelims with a light-heavyweight clash between Navajo Stirling and Ivan Erslan!
Round one
Both men stand orthodox. Clean cross lands for Erslan, then another. He tries to follow up with a takedown, but Stirling denies him.
Stirling trying some high kicks, early doors. Left hook connects for him.
Stirling starts to get a better read on Erslan’s offence as the round progresses. More kicks from him, too; low and to the body now.
UFC 315 LIVE: Early-prelim results
01:04 , Alex PattleSo, here’s how the early prelims played out:
Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva via first-round KO (1:27)
Daniel Santos def. Jeong Yeong Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bekzat Almakhan def. Brad Katona via first-round KO
Silva had to be taken out on a stretcher after his knockout by Barriault; let’s hope he’s okay.
UFC 315 LIVE: Muhammad vows to make ring walk with Palestine flag
Sunday 11 May 2025 00:47 , Alex PattleMore on Muhammad now, who has vowed to make his ring walk tonight with the Palestine flag.
The UFC 315 main event follows an online episode from March, when the Palestine flag was removed from Muhammad’s fighter profile on ufc.com before being restored.
Muhammad, 36, fights out of Chicago but was born to Palestinian parents, and many fans speculated that the absence of the flag on ufc.com was related to Palestine’s complicated history with Israel. The nations have been locked in fresh conflict since late 2023.
Here’s what the champ has had to say:
UFC champion vows to make ring walk with Palestine flag: ‘Nothing will stop me’
UFC 315 LIVE: Muhammad plays down Makhachev threat after Russian meets UFC brass
Sunday 11 May 2025 00:39 , Alex PattlePrior to Dana White explaining how the result of tonight’s main event will impact the lightweight title picture, Muhammad had this to say – about whether his friend Makhachev might have gone behind his back to plan a fight between them...
Belal Muhammad plays down Islam Makhachev title threat after Russian meets UFC brass
UFC 315 LIVE: Why main event will unlock the biggest fights of the year
Sunday 11 May 2025 00:21 , Alex PattleThis evening, the main event of UFC 315 will determine not only who leaves Montreal as welterweight champion, but also what the next title fight will be in the division. That is not unusual. Yet tonight’s headline bout will also influence the next lightweight title fight, causing a ripple effect that may even trickle to the heavyweight division.
This piece was originally written more speculatively, albeit based on a decent helping of logic, until UFC president Dana White confirmed on Thursday what we had planned to lay out below.
Here’s how Muhammad vs Della Maddalena will have ramifications on Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira and Shavkat Rakhmonov – and maybe even Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev!!
Why the UFC 315 main event will unlock the biggest fights of the year
