In a bloody battle, Jack Della Maddalena upset Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC 315 in Montreal and won the welterweight title.
The judges scored the five-round title bout 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for JDM.
Della Maddalena, a 28-year-old Australian, entered the fight No. 5 in the UFC welterweight rankings and then spoiled Muhammad’s first title defense. He also ended Muhammad’s unbeaten streak at 11 fights in a row.
JDM won for the 18th straight time while winning his first UFC championship and improving his record to 18-2 (8-0 UFC).
“It’s exactly how I thought it would feel,’’ JDM said. “It feels (very) good.’’
Muhammad, a 36-year-old Palestinian-American, lost for the first time in 12 fights, a stretch dating to 2019. His record dropped to 24-4 after the loss.
Before the fight, Muhammad vowed to use his “Canelo (Alvarez) hands’’ and box. He tried, but eventually leaned on his ground game.
It served him well, but wasn’t enough to overcome the hard-hitting Della Maddalena.
JDM, respected for his striking ability, squirmed free from several takedowns and survived Muhammad’s push in the final two rounds. JDM did not give up a takedown until the fourth round against Muhammad, known for his strong ground game.
“I knew I had to be smart,’’ JDM said. “I knew I couldn’t spend too much time on my back.’’
Jack Della Maddalena def. Belal Muhammad (C) by unanimous decision
ROUND 1: Lights dim as Belal Muhammad begins to make his way to the octagon for his first title defense. Jack Della Maddalena (JDM), No. 5 in the UFC welterweight rankings, awaits Muhammad’s arrival. JDM throws a right as he stalks and Muhammad fires back to the body. JDM lands a nice right and Muhammad answers with a kick. JDM lets fly with a few kicks, showing he’s got more than fists. Muhammad connects with a solid right and then another. JDM lands a kick and a right, and follows with another right. Muhammad promised to box. Maybe a bad idea. JDM attacks with low kicks and Muhammad nearly lands one to the head. They’re exchanging kicks, and JDM connects with a left. Muhammad attempts the takedown, and settles for a scoring punch. Muhammad connects with a right and starts to attack before he takes an uppercut. JDM 10, Muhammad 9.
ROUND 2: They open with kicks, but no damage done. But a head kick from Muhammad may have gotten through. More kicks. JDM strikes with a right. Muhammad answers with a body kick. Fighters throwing punches, but not in bunches. Chants go up. “Let’s go, Jack! Let’s go, Jack!’’ More kicks and single shot punches. Muhammad bleeding from the nose. He attempts a takedown but JDM gets free and looks skillful with his takedown defense. Big right from Muhammad, who’s bleeding more profusely now. JDM 20, Muhammad 18.
ROUND 3: Muhammad out quickly with punches, but JDM answers with authority. A flurry of punches backs up Muhammad, and then he scores with jabs. Blood flowing again from Muhammad’s nose, but he lands a nice right. JDM pummeling that nose. Muhammad lands a right and a left, but JDM fires another right that lands. Muhammad neglecting his ground game and perhaps to his detriment as JDM continues to land. JDM bobbing and weaving and scoring before Muhammad attempts the takedown and presses JDM against the fence. JDM 30, Muhammad 27.
ROUND 4: Muhammad stalking now. But catching up to JDM is dangerous. Muhammad lands an uppercut and JDM looks wobbly. But JDM responds with punches. Muhammad stays aggressive but takes a big shot to the face. Muhammad lands a combination and keeps the pressure on. Muhammad lands two uppercuts, but JDM answers. Brawling ensues until Muhammad pins JDM against the fence. Muhammad on top and in control before JDM reverses and punches Muhammad in the rib cage. Muhammad lands two punches and the men separate. But Muhammad quickly fires again and goes for another takedown. JDM fights it off. They’re clinched, with JDM on the fence and Muhammad fires knees and JDM takes more punches. JDM looks to be bleeding from the right ear, and Muhammad looks energized. JDM 39, Muhammad 37.
ROUND 5: JDM moving, but not fast enough. Muhammad appears to land a knee. JDM lands a solid jab and gets moving. JDM lands a knee but takes a big right. Muhammad bleeding badly. Muhammad scores a takedown with three minutes left. This is not where JDM wants to be. Muhammad on top and trying to fire with his left arm. JDM squirms free. Muhammad fires more punches. JDM’s right eye nearly swollen shut. JDM on the attack! Muhammad trying to clinch and cover up. Muhammad scores another takedown with about a minute to go. JDM back on his feet. He punishes Muhammad with a knee. Blood everywhere. JDM lands some big shots. JDM 49, Muhammad 46.
Valentina Shevchenko (C) def. Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision
Shevchenko bloodied Fiorot and her striking overcame Fiorot’s attempt to keep her legendary opponent wrapped up.
Fiorot showed grit and power while controlling huge chucks of each round with her wrestling. But Shevchenko, who allowed her opponent to stalk, countered with big shots.
All three judges scored the five-round flyweight title fight 48-47 for Shevchenko.
Shevchenko, the 37-year-old from Kyrgyzstan, was appearing in a 12th straight title fight and improved her record to 25-4-1 (14-3-1 UFC).
Fiorot, the 35-year-old from France, lost for the first time in 12 bouts, including seven UFC fights.
ROUND 1: Manon Fiorot carries into the fight a 12-fight winning streak. But to extend it she’ll have to beat the legendary Valentina Shevchenko.
Fiorot applies some early pressure, but a poised Shevchenko lands a right to the face. Fiorot rushes forward and throws a punch but it doesn’t land. Shevchenko looks comfortable but waiting to counter. Shevchenko unleashes a couple of kicks but misses the target. Fiorot rushes forward again and eats a right, and she’s bleeding badly from the nose. Perhaps a broken nose. What a bloody mess. Shevchenko scores with the right and then a takedown. Fiorot looks defeated, but she’s digging elbows into Shevchenko’s rib cage as Shevchenko stays on top as the round ends. Shevchenko 10, Fiorot 9.
ROUND 2: Fiorot tries to wrap up Shevchenko without success. Action slows as Shevchenko waits on Fiorot. Shevchenko scores a takedown but Fiorot is quickly on her feet. Now they’re wrapped up again and Fiorot lands a knee to the midsection. That shot to the nose did not deter Fiorot, who’s starting to apply pressure. She has Shevchenko on the fence and is kneeing Shevchenko to the glute and elbows Shevchenko as they sperate. Fiorot scores a takedown and is landing punches with Shevchenko on the ground and against the fence. Shevchenko blocks a vicious-looking knee as the round ends. Shevchenko 19, Fiorot 19.
ROUND 3: Shevchenko on the run a bit, content to let Fiorot be the aggressor. Fiorot attacking with her knee and pins Shevchenko against the fence. Crowd grows restless as the action slows. Shevchenko breaks free and lands a spin kick. But quickly Fiorot has Shevchenko wrapped up and is kneeing her in the thigh. Fiorot demonstrating power and determination. Fiorot 29, Shevchenko 28.
ROUND 4: Shevchenko scored with a stiff jab and Fiorot is bleeding again. Fiorot bulls Shevchenko against the fence and scores with her knees. Shevchenko gets free, but Fiorot looking to another takedown with blood on her face. Shevchenko lands a spin kick to the body. Fiorot gets Shevchenko back on the fence and is using those knees again and they separate. Shevchenko scores the takedown with about a minute left, but Fiorot is quickly back on her feet and they clinch for about half a minute. Shevchenko lands two rights and drops Fiorot! Fiorot 38, Shevchenko 38.
Round 5: Fiorot stalking, lands a knee. Then she wraps up Shevchenko again, briefly. Chants go up. “Valentina! Valentina!” They’ve settled at the center of the octagon before Shevchenko starts moving again. Shevchenko spun and landed a punch to the face, at which point Fiorot pinned Shevchenko against the fence. Shevchenko away and fires a kick. More clinching on the fence. Zzzzz. They separate. Fiorot lands a nice right and uses the moment to wrap up Shevchenko. Crowd boos. Round ends, appropriately if not satisfyingly, with the fighters in a clinch. Shevchenko 48, Fiorot 47.
Aiemann Zahabi def. Jose Aldo by unanimous decision
Zahabi did more than win the fight. He also appeared to send Aldo into retirement.
“I don’t think I have it in me anymore,’’ Aldo, a 38-year-old Brazilian and Hall of Famer, said through a translator after the fight.
Blood was splattered on the mat when the featherweight bout ended. That blood belonged to Aldo.
After getting knocked down early in the third round, Zahabi chased down the Hall of Famer and for the last two minutes of the fight he pounded Aldo.
An elbow with about 40 seconds left opened up a big cut on Aldo’s forehead. But somehow he survived the round – perhaps the final round of his career.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Zahabi.
Aldo failed to win for the fourth time in seven fights as his record fell to 32-10 (14-9 UFC)
Zahabi, a 37-year-old Canadian, won his fifth straight fight and improved to 12-2 (6-2 UFC).
ROUND 1: Aldo, the Hall of Famer, steps into the octagon with unclear intentions: Does he truly think he has a shot at fighting for a title again? Or is he putting himself at unnecessary risk of injury because he can’t stomach permanent retirement? Aiemann Zahabi might be the man to provide the answer.
Aldo comes out stalking. One minute, one jab. Aldo lets loose with a right head kick. It’s blocked. Zahabi stays on the run, but Aldo connects with a left. Lands a big right and another combination. Zahabi throws a hard right and loses his balance. Aldo looks poised and patient (too patient?) as he looks for an opportunity to connect. He throws two hard body shots. Now Zahabi pressuring and he catches Aldo with a handful of punches before Aldo responds. Big exchanges as the round ends. Aldo 10, Zahabi 9.
ROUND 2: Zahabi attacks early with a knee to the body. Aldo then keeps him at bay with a kick to the body. Zahabi fires a couple of jabs. Aldo responds with a combination, and Zahabi fires back. Aldo digs in with a body shot. Both fighters firing and neither taking control of this round. Zahabi sporting a cut on the corner of his right eye, evidence Aldo has landed. Brief delay after Zahabi kicks Aldo in the protective cup. Then happens a second time – or close. Aldo grinning instead of wincing. Zahabi lands a couple of solid punches as the round ends. Aldo 19, Zahabi 19.
ROUND 3: Aldo has the high guard in place but it doesn’t keep him from throwing and landing punches. Zahabi connects with a combination with this fight potentially up for grabs. Zahabi scores again and then Aldo scores with a knee and knocks him down with a kick. Zahabi on the run but nails Aldo with a right. It’s a brawl unfolding. Zahabi scores with two knees and Aldo running out of gas. Zahabi unloading and Aldo looks cooked. Tries a takedown and falls down. Zahabi on top and Aldo in trouble. Zahabi on top of Aldo and landing elbows as Aldo tries to cover up. Somehow Aldo hanging on here. Zahabi opens up a cut on Aldo’s forehead, doing serious damage as less than 40 seconds remain in the fight. Aldo survives with blood strewn on the mat. Zahabi 29, Aldo 28.
Natalia Silva def. Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision
Grasso’s face told the story. It sported knots, welts and a cut that bled profusely.
All courtesy of Silva.
Silva battered Grasso, the former UFC champion, with an assortment of kicks and punches while she frustrated Grasso by staying on the move during the three-round flyweight fight.
All three judges scored it 30-27 for Silva, the 28-year-old from Brazil who won for the 13th time in a row. She improved her record to 19-5-1 (7-0 UFC)
Grasso, a 31-year-old from Mexico, entered the women’s flyweight bout No. 3 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings. But her record fell to 16-5-1 (8-5-1 UFC) after Silva’s dominant performance.
ROUND 1: Natalia Silva enters having won 12 straight bouts. But to keep that record alive, she’ll have to beat a former UFC champion — Alexa Grasso.
Grasso opens with a pedestrian low kick. Silva unleashes a kick to the head. But Grasso comes back with a nice right. Silva responds quickly with her feet and fists. Silva stalking and connects with a left hook. Silva’s speed very evident. Grasso scores with a double jab. Silva answers with a couple of kicks that miss and then one to the head that may have squeezed through. Silva slips on a kick and Grasso scores a takedown. Doesn’t last long before Silva squirts free. A nice exchange follows. Silva connects with a kick to the face, but Grasso comes right back with her jab. Grasso scores with another jab, but Silva stays active and whips a spin kick. Silva 10, Grasso 9.
ROUND 2: Grasso opens with her double jab again. It’s her primary weapon. Silva looking like the Energizer Bunny and she connects with a head kick and then lands a left hook. Grasso looks almost flat-footed compared to Silva, who’s staying on the move between kicks and punches. Silva getting her steps in today, to the frustration of Grasso. Silva gets rushed and responds with a left, then connects with a jab. Crowd’s booing, maybe tiring of Silva staying on the move. But she pounds Grasso with a right-legged kick down the middle. Grasso wants to trade. She gets her chance late, pounding Silva but taking punches too. Silva 20, Grasso 18.
ROUND 3: Grasso comes out aggressively. The speedy Silva lands a couple of shots, but Grasso wraps up Silva and attempts the takedown. She’s got her pressed against the fence and lands a knee. Silva breaks free, and her face is red and swollen. Silva connects with another left, and probably another lump. Grasso tries to chase her down. Silva slows and delivers kicks and delivers a side kick to Grasso’s chest. Silva lands another hard head kick, opening a cut. A spinning kick follows as Grasso bleeds profusely. Silva smiling and pounds Grasso as the fight ends. Silva 30, Grasso 27.
Benoit Saint-Denis def. Kyle Prepolec by submission (arm triangle)
Saint-Denis mauled Prepolec and ended the fight with an arm triangle at 2:35 of the second round of the lightweight bout. He dominated the first round after scoring an early takedown and keeping Prepolec wrapped up.
About the only thing that could slow Saint-Denis was an eye poke early in the second round. After taking time to regroup, Prepolec caught him with a couple of shots.
But Saint-Denis got revved up again, pounding Prepolec with elbows and punches before taking him down and finishing him off.
Saint-Denis, a 29-year-old from France, improved his record to 14-3 (6-3). Prepolec, a 35-year-old Canadian, lost his first UFC match since 2019 and dropped to 18-9 (0-3 UFC).
ROUND 1: Kyle Prepolec, a Canadian, is on the mat for his first UFC fight since 2019. France’s Benoit Saint-Denis, by contrast, fought six times in the UFC over the past two years and is 4-2 in those bouts.
Saint-Denis gets the quick takedown. He looks in control, but isn’t capitalizing with punches or getting in position for a submission. Crowd booing as the two fighters stay wrapped up. Saint-Denis delivers a few elbows and threatens to wrap his right forearm under Prepolec’s neck. Prepolec gets back on his feet and Saint-Denis wrestles him right back down to the mat. Saint-Denis pounds a couple of lefts on Prepolec’s head after failing to wrap his arm around Prepolec’s neck. Saint-Denis mounts Prepolec for the potential chokehold but the horn sounds. Saint-denis had Prepolec down for about 90% of the round. Saint-Denis 10, Prepolec 9.
ROUND 2: Now Saint-Denis swinging, with his fists and then a leg. But Prepolec stops him – with an eye poke. Needs time to regroup and then Prepolec welcomes him back with a big left hand. Saint-Denis responds with elbows to the head. Prepolec gets in an elbow of his own, but Saint-Denis is taking over. More elbows followed by a knee. Saint-Denis scores another takedown 2½ minutes into the round and Prepolec taps out at 2:35 of the second round!
Mike Malott def. Charles Radtke by TKO
Malott took a solid left hand from Radtke just moments into the second round. It was worth the pain.
Malott, at the same time he got hit, connected with a brutal left that dropped Radtke to the canvas. Malott then pounced, throttling Radtke with a flurry of punches before the referee halted the fight 26 seconds into the second round of the welterweight fight.
The victory for Malott, a 33-year-old from Canada, exhilarated the Montreal crowd as he improved his record to 12-2-1 (5-1 UFC).
Radtke, a 34-year-old from Chicago, lost for the third time in four fights as his record fell to 10-5 (3-2 UFC).
Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Jessica Andrade by submission (rear naked choke)
Jasudavicius scored a takedown less than two minutes into the first round of the women’s flyweight bout and the assault was on.
Jasudavicius pounded Andrade’s head with right hands and then submitted her with a rear naked choke at 2:40 of the first round.
The Montreal crowd roared for Jasudavicius, a 36-year-old Canadian who won for the fifth time in a row. She improved her record to 14-3 (8-2 UFC).
Andrade, a 33-year-old Brazilian, failed to land anything of consequence against Jasudavicius as her record dropped to 26-12 (17-4 UFC).
Modestas Bukauskas def. Ion Cutelaba by split decision
The three judges stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons in a controversial decision.
Bukauskas appeared to need a finish as the fight headed into the third round. Cutelaba, who seemed to dominate the fight early, grew less active as the light heavyweight fight came to a close.
It cost him.
The judges scored the fight 27-30, 30-27, 29-28 in favor of Bukauskas.
Three times, Cutelaba unleashed spinning kicks and all three times he fell to the ground. But he made up for the poor kicking technique with active fists. But it was Bukauskas who threw the more punishing punches in the final round.
Bukauskas, a 31-year-old born in Lithuania, won for the fifth time in six fights and improved his record to 17-6 (6-4 UFC).
Cutelaba, a 31-year-old from Moldova, had won three of his last four fights but his record fell to 19-11-1 (8-10-1 UFC).
Navajo Stirling def. Ivan Erslan by unanimous decision
Stirling took control of a close fight with about a minute left in the third round when he dropped Erslan with a hard right.
The attack escalated as Stirling got on top of Erslan and landed more punches before the three-round light heavyweight fight came to an end.
Erslan gained command in the first round with a handful of nasty right hands, one of which opened up a cut under Stirling’s right eye. But Stirling responded in the second and third rounds with a blend of kicks and grappling before he landed the game-changing right hand.
The judges scored it 29-28, 29-28, 29-27.
Stirling, a 27-year-old from New Zealand, improved to 7-0 (2-0 UFC). Erslan, a 33-year-old from Croatia, lost for the fourth time in six fights and his record dropped to 14-5 (4-4 UFC).
Bruno Silva alert after KO
Silva, who got knocked unconscious in his fight with Marc-Andre Barriault, was alert and had movement in all of his extremities after leaving the octagon, according to report on the ESPN broadcast that cited UFC Chief Medical Director Jeff Davidson.
Davidson said Silva had movement in all of his extremities but complained about his neck, and he was taken to the hospital, according to ESPN. He will get head and neck scans.
Update: All X-rays are negative on Silva, per ESPN, and he is expected to be released from the hospital Saturday night.
Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva by KO
Barriault knocked Silva unconscious with three elbows, dropping him to the canvas and following up with a handful of rights before the referee stopped the fight at 1:27 of the first round.
Barriault, a 35-year-old Canadian, climbed atop the fence and basked in applause from the Montreal crowd after the middleweight bout. At the same time, Silva remained face-down and appeared to need at least two minutes to regain consciousness.
Silva was taken out of the octagon on a stretcher.
Barriault ended a three-fight skid and improved his record to 17-9 (6-8 UFC).
Silva, a 35-year-old Brazilian, lost for the fifth time in a row and his record dropped to 23-13 (4-7 UFC).
Daniel Santos def. JeongYeong Lee by unanimous decision
Santos got knocked down in the first round and by the end was bleeding under the eye. Which demonstrated how impressive he was in the three-round featherweight bout.
Lee knocked down Santos in the first round with a right hand, and Santos responded with his own right that dropped Lee to a knee. It commenced as a brawl, which left Lee with a cut at the corner of his right eye, and Santos gained control in the second and third rounds with impressive grappling.
All three judges scored the fight 30-27.
Santos, a 31-year-old Brazilian, was fighting for the first time in almost two years and showed no ring rust while improving to 13-2 (3-1 UFC).
Lee, a 29-year-old from South Korea, had won eight of his last nine fights before the loss, which dropped his record to 11-3 (2-2 UFC)
Bekzat Almakhan def. Brad Katona by TKO
Almakhan floored Katona with a brutal uppercut in the first round and, with Katona on his back, finished him off with a couple of right hands.
The fists were flying early in this bantamweight fight. But Almakhan absorbed an uppercut from Katona before delivering his own, and the referee stopped the fight at 1:04 of the first round.
Almakhan, a 27-year-old from Kazakhstan, was coming off a loss by unanimous decision in his UFC debut. But he rebounded by demolishing Katona, a 33-year-old Canadian.
Almakhan improved his record to 12-2 (1-1 UFC) and Katona fell to 14-5 (4-5 UFC).
UFC 315: Time, PPV, streaming for Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena
The highly anticipated matchup between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena will take place on Saturday, May 10 and can be purchased on ESPN+ PPV.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Location: Bell Centre (Montreal)
Early prelims start time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Early prelims stream: ESPN+, Disney+
Prelims card start time: 8 p.m. ET
Prelims card TV: ESPN; Prelims stream: ESPN+
Main card start time: 10 p.m. ET
Main card stream: ESPN+ PPV
Catch UFC action with an ESPN+ subscription
UFC 315 preliminary and main card start times
Early prelims: 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+, Disney+)
Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+)
Main card: 10 p.m. ET (PPV on ESPN+)
UFC 315: Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena card
Main card
Welterweight Title: Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena
Flyweight title: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot
Bantamweight: Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi
Flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs. Natalia Silva
Lightweight: Benoit Saint Denis vs. Kyle Prepolec
Prelims
Welterweight: Mike Malott vs. Charles Radtke
Flyweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Light heavyweight: Modestas Bukauskas vs. Ion Cutelaba
Light heavyweight: Navajo Stirling vs. Ivan Erslan
Early prelims
Middleweight: Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Bruno Silva
Featherweight: Daniel Santos vs. Jeong Yeong Lee
Bantamweight: Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan
UFC 315 predictions
CBS Sports: Ian Machado Garry picks Belal Muhammad
Gary told CBS Sports: ‘Every minute that goes by puts Belal in a better position because he is a workhorse. He’s a grinder. He’ll grab hold of you and beat you. He’ll be in your grill. He will make it ugly. He will slam you. He will constantly be there. I’ve watched Jack get ragdolled by people who aren’t as good as Belal… Honestly, I think he gets a finish in the later rounds. If Jack can survive until three or four, I think that’s when the finish will come.’
Bleacher Report: Two of the three combat sports experts pick Belal Muhammad
Tom Taylor writes: ‘Della Maddalena is one of my favorite fighters to watch right now, but I’ve got to disagree with Lyle on this one. While the Aussie is a much sharper striker than Muhammad, I don’t think that will matter much. Muhammad is a master at overwhelming his opponents on the mat, and we saw Gilbert Burns successfully control Della Maddalena in that area. Considering Della Maddalena hasn’t fought since his win over Burns, which was well over a year ago, ring rust could also be a factor for him. I just can’t shake the feeling that he will get mauled, even if he’s too tough to be finished.’
Sports Illustrated: Leon Edwards picks Jack Della Maddalena
Mathew Riddle writes Edwards’ remarks on the Ariel Helwani Show: ‘If I could put money on it I’d probably favor JDM. My thing with JDM is his boxing will probably shut him down and he’s a good anti-grappler, like you can take him down but his scrambles on the floor are good. I feel like Belal won’t be enough to hold him down for that long.’
UFC 315 live stream
The early prelims will be available to stream via ESPN+ and Disney+. The prelims follow with coverage on ESPN as well as streaming on ESPN+. The main event is available on ESPN+ PPV.
The early prelims will be available to stream via ESPN+ and Disney+. The prelims follow with coverage on ESPN as well as streaming on ESPN+. The main event is available on ESPN+ PPV.
UFC 315 price
UFC events are available to ESPN+ subscribers for $119.99 for the entire year. You can also purchase a monthly subscription of ESPN+ for $11.99. The PPV is available for an additional $79.99.