UFC Event 315 Preview: Muhammad versus Della Maddalena Forecasts
Rewritten Article:
Get ready for some electrifying MMA action! The co-main event brings us a thrilling face-off between flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot, while UFC legend Jose Aldo clashes with top-15 bantamweight contender Aiemann Zahabi in the featured bout.
Don't miss out on flyweights Alexa Grasso and Natalia Silva squaring off, and the explosive lightweight duo of Benoit Saint Denis and Kyle Prepolec igniting the Octagon.
MAIN CARD
Belal Muhammad (Favorite) vs Jack Della Maddalena (Underdog) (Welterweight Championship)
When: Sunday, May 10, 4 AM SAST
Two fighters known for never tasting defeat face off in a title showdown.
Muhammad, with an impressive 11-fight win streak since 2019, claimed the welterweight title with a dominant decision win over Leon Edwards in July 2023. He's climbed the ladder with victories over big names like Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Damian Maia.
Della Maddalena might not have the same pedigree as the champ, but he boasts a 17-fight win streak since 2016. The Australian is undefeated since making his Octagon debut in 2020, scoring notable wins against Burns, Kevin Holland, and Randy Brown. Despite a broken arm in his last fight, Della Maddalena showed incredible resilience by knocking out Burns in March 2025.
Looking to capture UFC gold, Della Maddalena has a dozen knockout wins, including 14 overall stoppages. He's one of the best boxers in the UFC and plans to keep the fight on the feet, where he has the superior power and technique.
Although Muhammad relies on a wrestling-heavy style and lacks significant knockout power, his high-pressure approach has proved successful as he's toppled numerous high-profile opponents. He knows how to defuse, outwork, and outsmart his opponents.
With his knockout power and resilience, Della Maddalena never backs down, but Burns provided a decent blueprint for how to beat him. By employing wrestling, Muhammad can likely maintain the title.
Prediction: Muhammad by decision.Best Bet: Muhammad by decision at 2.00.Alternative Bet: Muhammad at 1.53.
Valentina Shevchenko (Underdog) vs Manon Fiorot (Favorite) (Flyweight Championship)
World-class pound-for-pound fighter Shevchenko aims to kick off her second reign as flyweight champ in style.
Known as "Bullet," Shevchenko has impressed fans with wins over former champions like Alexa Grasso, Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and current bantamweight champ Julianna Pena. However, she faces a surging, in-form challenger.
Fiorot, a technical master with a 12-fight win streak, has defeated foes like Erin Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas, and Katlyn Cerminara. She plans to create history by becoming the first French fighter to secure an undisputed UFC title.
Although Fiorot is efficient at point-fighting, Shevchenko possesses a complete game that can disrupt her rhythm and defeat "The Beast."
Prediction: Shevchenko by decision.Best Bet: Shevchenko at 2.10.Alternative Bet: Shevchenko by decision at 3.00.
*Jose Aldo (Favorite) vs Aiemann Zahabi (Underdog) (Bantamweight)*
Brazilian icon Aldo aims to get back in the win column when facing Montreal's Zahabi in a top-15 bantamweight matchup.
A legendary fighter, Aldo boasts a 4-4 record since moving down to bantamweight in 2019. He's one of the greatest featherweights of all time, but he's still a tough challenger with elite technical striking, unmatched takedown defense, and years of experience.
Three spots behind Aldo in the rankings, Zahabi is on a five-fight win streak. He's an intelligent striker but lacks the same level of experience, with his most notable win coming against Pedro Munhoz in November 2025.
Aldo typically only struggles against grapplers who hold him against the Octagon, and Zahabi doesn't fit that mold. This stand-up battle should favor Aldo, who should secure the judges' nods.
Prediction: Aldo by decision.Best Bet: Aldo by decision at 1.80.Alternative Bet: Aldo at 1.45.
Alexa Grasso vs Natalia Silva (Flyweight)
Grasso makes her return following her title loss to Shevchenko in 2024, hoping to establish herself as the top contender with a win over Silva, the fifth-ranked flyweight.
Grasso is a crisp boxer with good footwork. Her striking and takedown game are assets, allowing her to stun the world with her title win over Shevchenko before eventually losing the rematch and the third encounter via decision.
A dynamic kickboxer, Silva is perfect in the UFC with a 6-0 record since joining in 2020 and sports a 12-fight win streak overall since 2017. She beat former champ Jessica Andrade in her last outing to prove herself as a legitimate contender and may earn a title shot with a win here.
Silva has the upper hand in terms of striking stats, a wider arsenal, and 91% takedown defense. With her momentum, she should secure her biggest win yet.
Prediction: Silva by decision.Best Bet: Silva by decision at 1.72.Alternative Bet: Silva at 1.40.
Benoit Saint Denis vs Kyle Prepolec (Lightweight)
Saint Denis was given a late Canadian challenge after Joel Alvarez was forced to withdraw due to injury on Monday. Stepping up to face him is Prepolec, who returns to the UFC riding a three-fight win streak, with all victories coming by way of first-round knockout. This should be a dynamic main card opener.
A dangerous finisher, Saint Denis was on a five-fight win streak before being defeated by Dustin Poirier in March 2025. The former French Army Special Forces paratrooper boasts a 100% finish rate with four knockouts and nine submissions. He's a significant step up in competition for Prepolec and should secure a much-needed victory.
Prediction: Saint Denis by knockout.Best Bet: Saint Denis by KO/TKO/DQ (check markets).
Author: Quintin Van Jaarsveld, former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year, formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com, and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, with over 15 years' experience as a freelance sports writer.
Enrichment Data: UFC 315, featuring Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena, takes place on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montréal, Québec, Canada. For specific betting odds, one should check industry-leading betting sites and sportsbooks closer to the fight date for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
- In the welterweight championship, Belal Muhammad, a 17-fight undefeated underdog, faces off against Jack Della Maddalena, the Australia-born favorite, at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025.
- Despite his dominant 11-fight win streak since 2019, Muhammad's wrestling-heavy style and lack of significant knockout power may lead some to favor the younger Della Maddalena, who boasts 14 overall stoppages and an impressive knockout power.
- In a different division, the well-known boxer Aiemann Zahabi, currently ranked third in the bantamweight division, aims to secure a victory over the UFC legend Jose Aldo in a top-15 bantamweight matchup.
- In the flyweight championship, the world-class pound-for-pound fighter Valentina Shevchenko, looking to begin her second reign, faces the surging challenger Manon Fiorot, a technical master with a 12-fight win streak.
- In the lightweight division, the dangerous finisher Benoit Saint Denis, with a 100% finish rate, battles Kyle Prepolec, who returns to the UFC after a three-fight win streak with all victories coming by first-round knockout.
