After a decade-long absence, UFC is finally returning to Montreal with a championship doubleheader at UFC 315 on May 10 at the Bell Centre. The event marks the promotion's eighth visit to the Canadian city, with the last being UFC 186 in April 2015.
Headlining the event is welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who will make his first title defense against rising Australian star Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad captured the 170-pound crown with an impressive victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 305, extending his current winning streak to 10 fights. Originally scheduled to face Shavkat Rakhmonov, Muhammad pivoted to Della Maddalena after Rakhmonov withdrew due to injury.
Della Maddalena brings an impressive 17-fight winning streak into his first title opportunity, having overcome a 0-2 start to his professional career. The Australian has been perfect in the UFC with seven consecutive victories, five coming by way of knockout.
According to Statbet's fight analysis, this welterweight clash features two fighters on remarkable winning streaks who employ contrasting styles that should create an intriguing championship matchup.
The co-main event features another championship bout as Valentina Shevchenko puts her recently reclaimed women's flyweight title on the line against France's Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko regained her championship in September 2024 with a split decision victory over Alexa Grasso, who had previously ended Shevchenko's long reign in March 2023.
Fiorot enters her first UFC title shot riding a 12-fight winning streak, including seven victories inside the octagon. The French contender most recently defeated Erin Blanchfield in her first five-round main event, solidifying her position as the division's top challenger.
Financially, this event represents significant paydays for both main event fighters. Muhammad is expected to earn between $800,000 and $1 million for his first title defense, a substantial increase from the $465,000 he reportedly collected for his championship victory over Edwards. Della Maddalena is projected to earn between $350,000 and $450,000, more than doubling his previous payout of approximately $200,000 for his fight against Gilbert Burns at UFC 299.
With two championship bouts featuring fighters on remarkable winning streaks, UFC 315 promises to deliver an electrifying night of action as the promotion makes its long-awaited return to Montreal.
