Monday Matchmaker: UFC 315

Monday Matchmaker: UFC 315

UFC 315 delivered a night of high-stakes action in Montreal, with two title fights shaking up the welterweight and women’s flyweight divisions. Jack Della Maddalena’s upset victory over Belal Muhammad and Valentina Shevchenko’s hard-fought title defense against Manon Fiorot have set the stage for some blockbuster matchups.

Let’s break down some potential match-ups for the stars of UFC 315:

Jack Della Maddalena

Della Maddalena dethroned Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) in a striking clinic, landing 200 total shots and fending off takedowns until the fourth round. His performance cemented him as Australia’s latest MMA star.

Lightweight champion and pound-for-pound No. 1, Islam Makhachev, wasted no time calling out Della Maddalena after UFC 315, eyeing a move to 170 pounds for a shot at double-champ status. Della Maddalena welcomed the challenge, referencing Makhachev’s wins over fellow Aussie Alexander Volkanovski: “I’m going to get him back for ‘Volk.”

Makhachev’s grappling prowess against Della Maddalena’s elite striking makes this a stylistic dream match, though the UFC’s preference for Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria might complicate things.

Valentina Shevchenko

Shevchenko defended her title against Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47 x3) in a technical war, using her experience and grappling to edge out the younger challenger.

A champion-vs.-champion superfight with strawweight queen Weili Zhang has been teased for some time, and Shevchenko’s win over Fiorot makes it the perfect time for this fight to happen. Zhang has called out Shevchenko, and the flyweight champ hasn’t ruled it out, saying she’s open to big challenges.

Both are among the greatest female fighters ever, with Shevchenko’s technical mastery meeting Zhang’s explosive power. This could be a historic fight, though timing depends on Zhang’s strawweight obligations.

Natalia Silva & Manon Fiorot

Silva dominated former champion Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (30-27 x3), showcasing her evolved Muay Thai and stifling Grasso’s offense. Her seventh straight UFC win solidifies her as a top flyweight contender.

Meanwhile, Fiorot pushed Shevchenko to the limit but fell short via unanimous decision (48-47 x3), suffering her first UFC loss in her first title fight.

Fiorot’s loss to Shevchenko doesn’t erase her status as a top-tier flyweight. A matchup with Silva makes sense to determine the next title challenger, especially if Shevchenko fights Zhang in the meantime.

Fiorot’s powerful striking and size could test Silva’s athleticism and grappling, while Silva’s speed and versatility pose problems for Fiorot’s distance control. This fight could headline a Fight Night or serve as a co-main event, keeping both women in the title picture.

Belal Muhammad

Muhammad lost his welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision, ending an 11-fight unbeaten streak. His strategy to box rather than wrestle backfired, leaving him battered.

Muhammad’s title loss drops him back into the contender pool, and a fight with former champion Kamaru Usman makes sense. Usman, coming off a potential win over Joaquin Buckley, is looking for a title shot, but with Makhachev and Shavkat Rakhmonov in the mix, he may need another fight.

With some recent podcast beef, this fight makes all the sense. Muhammad’s wrestling could test Usman’s aging takedown defense, and their shared history of grinding fights promises a competitive bout.

Both are former champions seeking redemption. The fight keeps Muhammad active while determining who stays in the title conversation, especially if Rakhmonov challenges for the belt next.

Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!