UFC 315 is the next big event from the top MMA promotion in the world, with Montreal, Quebec, Canada, hosting this exciting event.
The main event of the show features Belal Muhammad’s first defense since beating Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight title. He faces the hard-hitting Jack Della Maddelena, who is eyeing up his first taste of gold in the UFC.
Elsewhere, the co-main event features the pound-for-pound toughest woman in UFC. Valentina Shevchenko, fresh off a trilogy with Alexa Grasso, faces French fighter Manon Fiorot in the first title defense of her second reign as champion.
Meanwhile, other bouts include Jose Aldo battling Aiemann Zahabi, Navajo Stirling vs. Ivan Erslan, and Benoit Saint-Denis against a late replacement in Kyle Prepolec.
Ahead of UFC 315, the experts at Bloody Elbow have made their staff picks for the two main event fights, as well as the Performance of the Night and their Fight of the Night.
- READ MORE – Belal Muhammad names the shot he’ll knock Jack Della Maddalena out with in detailed UFC 315 prediction
Muhammad Belal vs Jack Della Maddalena predictions
- James Sweetnam: Jack Della Maddalena
- Jordan Ellis: Belal Muhammad
- Kyle Dimond: Belal Muhammad
The Bloody Elbow experts are split on who will win this fight, which could be what the judges think at the end of the night at UFC 315.
James and Kyle can’t look past Muhammad and don’t see his reign ending with his first title defense. The UFC Welterweight champion doesn’t like to finish off his opponents, but will want to control the fight and keep pressure on his Australian challenger for the full 25-minute bout.
Muhammad won’t want to be drawn into a boxing match with Della Maddalena. The Australian is one of the best boxers in the division, so Muhammad will want to make this a wrestling contest to wear down Della Maddalena and eke out a victory via points decision.
However, James thinks the striking ability of Della Maddalena will be too much for the champion. He has predicted that a new UFC Welterweight Champion will be crowned, with the challenger having the fight stopped before the judges can make their decision.
Della Maddalena already has a longer winning streak than Muhammad and could end the champion’s streak completely, if James’ prediction comes true at UFC 315.
Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot predictions
- James Sweetnam: Valentina Shevchenko
- Jordan Ellis: Valentina Shevchenko
- Kyle Dimond: Valentina Shevchenko
The Bloody Elbow staff are unanimous in choosing Shevchenko as the woman who will walk out of UFC 315 as the Women’s Flyweight Champion
As one of the best female fighters in UFC history, she has the ability and the experience to beat Fiorot, despite the Quebec crowd likely backing her French opponent.
The record-breaking Shevchenko should have little issue with Fiorot, despite her seven-fight undefeated streak in the UFC so far.
The Kyrgyz fighter has more title defenses than any Women’s Flyweight champion in history and can win a fight in multiple ways, while Fiorot has failed to win without the judges in her last five bouts.
Fight of the Night
- James Sweetnam: Modestas Bukauskas vs. Ion Cutelaba
- Jordan Ellis: Mike Mallott vs. Charles Radtke
- Kyle Dimond: Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Kyle Prepolec
With three distinct choices for the Fight of the Night, it shows the strength of the card taking place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on May 10.
James has chosen the Modestas Bukauskas vs. Ion Cutelaba fight as the potential Fight of the Night winner for UFC 315. Bukauskas will be the favorite for the bout, with his superior striking advantage likely to be too much for Cutelaba in the octagon.
Meanwhile, Jordan thinks the fight between Mike Mallott and Charles Radtke will be the most impressive. The two unranked fighters in the Welterweight division will have a point to prove on the prelims, with good records going into this fight.
Despite a loss each last year, this bout should be one to watch for UFC fans, as anything could happen as they try to climb the rankings towards a title fight.
Elsewhere, Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Kyle Prepolec is Kyle’s pick for the Fight of the Night at UFC 315. Prepolec is a last-minute replacement for Joel Alvarez, who pulled out of the fight with just a few days’ notice.
The Canadian fighter is on a three-fight win streak, all via knockout, and will be confident going into the event in his home country. Saint Denis won’t be happy with the replacement, as he has lost his last two bouts via knockout and could suffer another devastating loss at the hands of his new opponent at UFC 315.
Performance of the Night
- James Sweetnam: Benoit Saint-Denis
- Jordan Ellis: Benoit Saint-Denis
- Kyle Dimond: Navajo Stirling
The late change of opponent for Saint-Denis is something that both James and Jordan are looking forward to, as it could bring on one of the top performances of the night from the resolute Frenchman.
Saint-Denis remains a solid competitor who will want to bounce back from his previous losses with vigor. Having less time to prepare for his opponent than he’d like, the French fighter will have to go all out to secure the victory with an impressive performance in Canada.
Meanwhile, Kyle is excited to see the performance that Navajo Stirling can pull out at UFC 315. Stirling has a height and reach advantage over his opponent, which should give him a much stronger chance of beating Ivan Erslan at UFC 315.
He should have enough in him to outwork Erslan, and if he can get past the opening round, then he should be able to pick up an easy, impressive win on his undercard fight.