Controversy Report: UFC 315

UFC 315: Controversy Report

UFC 315 saw the promotion return to Montreal & the crowning of a new welterweight king. Despite the dominant and impressive display by the newly crowned champ, Jack Della Maddalena, over a valiant Belal Muhammad, a few displays in this Montreal card made for what some fans are calling, the worst night of judging of 2025 thus far.

As always, below we cover these controversial moment & questionable scorecards:

Modestas Bukauskas defeats Ion Cutelaba

• Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)

In what was a lukewarm affair between two light-heavyweights that usually put on more violent displays, we got a controversial result, and the introduction to a judge that would later on make an appearance as the villain of a bad fairy tale. 

The first round saw a tentative Modestas Bukasukas, fighting from the outside. The round had Ion Cutelaba land 17 strikes, to Bukauskas 12. Despite a lower output from both gentlemen, Cutelaba was the one forcing the agression a tad more, landing the heavier shots and even attempting the heavier shots too. Despite a similar percentage in shots that landed, Cutelba had an accuracy of 36%, one percent more than his counterpart. Regardless, judge Pasquale Procopio, native of Montreal, scored this a Bukauskas round, the sole judge doing so. 

The second round was a bit more of the same. Cutelaba held the octagon control, struggling to land much, yet landing far more than Bukauskas this round. Striking numbers saw him land 25 strikes to the 16 of Bukauskas. He also attempted 17 more strikes than Bukauskas in this round. Some of the shots were harder, though nothing too clean. Personally, it was a clear Cutelaba round, once more, perhaps the most clear round of the bout. Again, judge Pasquale Procopio awarded this for Bukauskas, with repeat offender Sal d’Amato scoring it for the Lithuanian too. At this point, the fight should be a 20-18 for Cutelaba, though the judging masterclass had a different say to it all. 

The third and final round was in my eyes, the most competitive round of the bout. The striking numbers were identical when it comes to the numbers of strikes landed at 16 a piece. Bukauskas managed to land the prettier, crispier shots in this scenario, which granted him the round in the eyes of Sal D’Amato and Procopio, leaving judge Valel as the sole judge awarding it for Cutelaba. 

At the end of the day, a 29-28 for Cutelaba was the correct score-card in my view. Instead, we were blessed with an erroneous and odd looking scorecard that left a sour taste for fans.

Aiemann Zahabi defeats José Aldo

• Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

The historical disrespect by judging towards José Aldo extended its way into this fight against Quebec’s own, Aiemann Zahabi. Following a controversial loss against Mario Bautista in October, Aldo came into this fight with a lot of pressure, retirement thoughts and a tough weight-cut that forced him to make this a featherweight bout. With many fans concerned for the weight miss, Aldo proved once more his championship medal, in what would be his retirement bout. 

No questions asked for the first round. Aldo landed 23 shots to the 21 of Zahabi, though the shots Aldo landed were undoubtedly the strongest, having a strong reaction from Zahabi at moments. We saw a vintage Aldo performance, with elongated boxing combinations with some power behind them. As mentioned, this was a correct, unanimous round for Aldo with all three judges in accordance. 

The second round is when controversy struck and where most people pointed as the grave mistake in judging from all three judges, Mike Bell, Pasquale Procopio and David Therien. Therien and Procopio, two Quebec natives, sided with Bell in awarding this round for Zahabi. The reality for this round saw Aldo land 25 strikes and Zahabi 26, though Aldo’s strikes had a bit more sting to them. In essence, a close round that I’d personally favor for Aldo, though not completely outrageous seeing it being awarded for Zahabi. 

The last and final round was perhaps one of the best rounds of mixed martial arts we’ve seen in 2025. Aldo hurts Zahabi with a knee up the middle, followed by a legal soccer style front kick and a barrage of punches that would frankly put away 90% of the UFC roster. Once Zahabi’s recovery took place, the King of Rio glanced at the clock, in awe that we had nearly a full half round left. This led to Zahabi taking down Aldo, gathering 2:38 of control time with vicious elbows and strikes, opening the Brazilian’s face. Ultimately, a round for Zahabi, though both men were hurt. 

At the end of the day, I had this as a 29-28 for José Aldo, giving him the first two rounds. Giving the second round for Zahabi is understandable, but when striking numbers are even or just about, we need to analyze the power aspect of it all. Moreover, I do believe a ton of the frustration online was due to the anti-climatic retirement of Aldo, and the extension of unfortunate judging in his last bout against Mario Bautista. Perhaps, Aldo’s career could have ended with legendary matchups against Dominick Cruz, Henry Cejudo, Deiveson Figueiredo or even a Cory Sandhagen.

Jack Della Maddalena defeats Belal Muhammad

• Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46 x2) 

Jack Della Maddalena’s masterclass and dominating performance saw the UFC welterweight division have a newly crowned champion. His strategy was imposed perfectly. A deliberately well managed range based striking, with elite takedown defense and get-up game set him apart from a valiant Belal Muhammad that was unable to have his game plan placed. 

Despite the strong win, the two score-cards from Eric Colon and David Theruen raise concern, primarily because of Round 1. The numbers indicated that Belal Muhammad was out struck 28 to 21, with even the volume and pace this round, being awarded for Jack Della Maddalena, who landed tougher shots and dictated the action. Muhammad’s shots were far less impactful, consisting primarily of some lead leg body kicks and soft jabs. I’m quite confused as to why two judges awarded this for Muhammad. 

Another round worthy of debate would be Round 4. At this point, the output of Muhammad increased, yet he was still outstruck 33 to 31, with the more damaging shots being from the side of JDM. I do understand and deem it fair to award this round for Muhammad based on his successful takedown and near minute of control time, since the striking numbers were in fact quite clear.

At the end, Judge Eric Colon’s 49-46 is seemingly the correct score-card, though it is alarming that we saw that Round 1 scored wrongly in a fight with the highest of stakes, as was Jack Della Maddalena vs Belal Muhammad. 

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