UFC 315, held on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, was way more than your average fight night. It was a drama-packed comeback for the UFC in Montreal after a decade-long break—and trust, the card delivered on every level. From championship shakeups to retirements that hit like a gut punch, this night had it all [2].
Della Maddalena Shocks the Welterweight Division
In the main event, Jack Della Maddalena rose to the occasion and took the welterweight title by defeating Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision. This wasn’t just another five-rounder—this was a certified war, and it earned Fight of the Night honors [2].
Belal came in with experience and grit, but Maddalena was sharper and more efficient, landing cleaner strikes and keeping control throughout. With this win, the Aussie disrupts the entire welterweight landscape. His next move? Possibly a superfight with Islam Makhachev or a banger against Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“This is just the beginning. I’m here to rule,” Maddalena said post-fight. And based on that performance? Believe him [3].
Bulletproof Again: Shevchenko Defends Her Throne
In the co-main event, Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko defended her women’s flyweight title against France’s Manon Fiorot, also via unanimous decision. While it didn’t match the intensity of the main event, Shevchenko’s dominance was undeniable [2].
Fiorot showed heart, but early nose damage slowed her down. Shevchenko’s precision striking and experience carried her through all five rounds. She now continues her second reign atop the division and is eyeing fresh contenders like Natalia Silva or Zhang Weili.
Canadian Fighters Brought the Heat 🇨🇦
Fighting in front of a home crowd, Canadian fighters delivered big time. The biggest shock came from Jasmine Jasudavicius, who submitted veteran Jessica Andrade in the first round—a move that earned her Performance of the Night honors and turned her into an overnight fan favorite [1].
Marc-Andre Barriault followed up with a brutal first-round KO of Bruno Silva, also snagging a performance bonus. The Bell Centre crowd? Loud. Proud. Unhinged.
These weren’t just wins—they were statements.
Aldo’s Last Dance (And Not the Ending We Wanted)
The legendary José Aldo made his long-awaited return, facing Aiemann Zahabi in a featherweight bout. The fight was solid, even showing flashes of vintage Aldo, but it ended in a controversial unanimous decision in Zahabi’s favor.
What really hit fans hard was what came after: Aldo announced his retirement, citing nagging injuries and a fading fire. The MMA community lit up with mixed emotions, with fighters and fans calling the decision a “robbery.”
“I’m done. My heart isn’t in it anymore,” Aldo told reporters.
And just like that, one of the sport’s greatest rides off into the sunse [4]t.
Other Standout Performances
Let’s not overlook the rest of the action-packed card. While title fights drew the headlines, there were some wild finishes and rising contenders across all weight classes.
Highlights include:
- Natalia Silva dominated Alexa Grasso, using slick footwork and clean striking to put herself in line for a title shot.
- Mike Malott dropped Charles Radtke in Round 2 with a KO in just 26 seconds.
- Benoît Saint Denis submitted Kyle Prepolec in the second round, reinforcing his rising status in the lightweight division.
Division Shakeups & What’s Next
UFC 315 wasn’t just about one night—it changed the trajectory of two major divisions.
Welterweight Division:
- Jack Della Maddalena is now the king. Fans want a champ-vs-champ moment with Makhachev.
- Belal Muhammad, now dethroned, may face Kamaru Usman next or a wild card like Ian Machado Garry.
Women’s Flyweight Division:
- Valentina Shevchenko remains untouchable—for now. The next challenger could be Natalia Silva or even Zhang Weili if she moves up.
- Manon Fiorot, still a top contender, may bounce back with a fight against Alexa Grasso or rising star Maycee Barber.
Final Thoughts: UFC 315 Will Be Remembered
If you thought UFC 315 was going to be just another fight night, think again. It was a legacy-defining event filled with upsets, high-level skill, raw emotion, and major implications for the rest of 2025.
From Della Maddalena’s breakout moment to Shevchenko’s continued dominance, and Aldo’s emotional farewell, UFC 315 gave us everything we crave in MMA—violence, storylines, and drama.
Bibliography
[1] T. S. Desk, “UFC 315 showdown heats up as Jessica Andrade warns Jasmine Jasudavicius before the game,” The Times of India, May 10, 2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/mma/news/ufc-315-showdown-heats-up-as-jessica-andrade-warns-jasmine-jasudavicius-before-the-game/articleshow/121058630.cms
[2] UFC, “UFC 315 | UFC,” Ufc.com, Feb. 07, 2025. https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-315
[3] UFC, “Jack Della Maddalena Post-Fight Press Conference | UFC 315,” YouTube, May 10, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWkS7V7j-Gc
[4] UFC, “Jose Aldo Octagon Interview | UFC 315,” YouTube, May 10, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVVi-PeooQ
