UFC 315: The Chronicles of Maddalena’s Madness and the Unbreakable Bullet
Foreword:
The undisputed 170-pound belt was on the line as Belal Muhammad sought his first title defense against Jack Della Maddalena, the man from Down Under, who aimed to extend his dominant 17-fight win streak. In the co-main event, one of the most dominant women’s fighters of all time, Valentina Shevchenko, faced the rising star of women’s MMA, Manon Fiorot.
Card Rating: 6.8
Main Event Rating: 8.6
Highlights of the Night: Bekzat Almakhan (KO), Jasmine Jasudavicius (rear-naked choke)
Fight of the Night: Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena
Honorable Mentions: Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Natalia Silva
Build-Up:
The UFC’s long-awaited return to Quebec, Canada, featured the recently crowned welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, facing his first championship challenger, Jack Della Maddalena. Despite a dominant performance to win the welterweight title, Muhammad had yet to gain the approval of fans or fellow fighters. He aimed to prove he was the man to beat at 170 pounds in his first title defense. Maddalena, a deserving yet surprising contender, emerged from the pack to challenge for the crown.
In the other championship bout, Valentina Shevchenko sought to continue her reign over the flyweight division. However, a clear number-one contender had emerged in Manon Fiorot, who appeared to have the tools to challenge Shevchenko’s supremacy.
The Fight:
Maddalena’s 17-fight win streak, coupled with his proven heart and grit in the cage, posed a significant challenge for anyone in the welterweight division. However, the stage was set for Muhammad to elevate his standing. With future implications for multiple title pictures and a home-ground advantage, Belal aimed to assert his dominance and prove himself the king of the division, regardless of the challenger.
In contrast, the co-main event raised questions about the aging Shevchenko and how she would fare against the young, hungry, and well-rounded Fiorot. This fight had all the makings of a changing of the guard.
The Outcome:
The main event was, as Marvin Hagler would say, "War!" In one of the best title fights in recent memory, both men left everything in the octagon for the crown. The man from Down Under shocked the world to become "AND NEW!" champion, giving Australia its third-ever UFC world champion. Maddalena fought a perfect fight from start to finish, nullifying Belal’s takedown attempts and outboxing him to secure a clear victory after a 25-minute war.
The co-main event saw the queen retain her throne. Shevchenko, a master of her craft, demonstrated her ability to adapt and win, even as her recent fights have been closer than those earlier in her career. Fiorot threw everything she had at the flyweight queen, but as the saying goes, "If you come for the crown, you’d better not miss." Shevchenko is not one to let opportunities slip, and she capitalized when it mattered most.
Afterthought:
Aussies are built different! The "Ruby Hunter" strikes again!
Jack Della Maddalena shocked many with a performance of a lifetime to claim the coveted belt, potentially reshaping the landscape of both the welterweight and lightweight divisions. Future matchups against Islam Makhachev or Shavkat Rakhmonov could further elevate Maddalena’s stardom. With a strong team behind him, any challenger at 170 pounds will face a daunting task in dethroning the Aussie champion.
Valentina Shevchenko remains as cerebral as they come. From her icy stare-downs to her masterful performances, there is nothing she cannot do. Many would crumble under the relentless pressure of defending the belt against hungry contenders, but "The Bullet" continues to set the standard for greatness in women’s MMA. At 38 years old, she evolves her game and delivers masterclasses, even when the odds are stacked against her.
After a memorable night for both champions at the Bell Center, two major superfights loom on the horizon.
UFC 315 Highlights:
The rest of the main card delivered thrilling fights and statement moments for rising contenders. Aiemann Zahabi vs. Jose Aldo was another war on the card, though the "King of Rio’s" last dance did not end in a fairytale. Zahabi’s stock rose the most of any fighter on the card, as he backed up his talk with a gritty performance, positioning himself in the bantamweight mix. A special shoutout is due to Jose Aldo, whose dominance during the sport’s less mainstream era and sustained excellence at the highest level for over a decade cemented his legacy as a multiple-time world champion and an icon of Brazilian MMA. Thank you, Jose!
Natalia Silva delivered a dominant performance against former champion Alexa Grasso, solidifying her case for a future title opportunity.
Big Wins Across the Board:
Benoit Saint-Denis returned to the win column with a clean submission victory.
Canadian fighters Mike Malott and Marc-Andre Barriault scored knockout victories on home soil.
Bekzat Almakhan made quick work of his opponent with a lightning-fast KO to kick off the night
