Cheima Moufdil
UFC 315 delivered a seismic shift in the welterweight division as Jack Della Maddalena pulled off a career-defining upset, dethroning Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision to become the new champion. The win didn’t just hand Della Maddalena the gold — it cracked the door wide open for a potential superfight with lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev, a scenario that could trigger a lightweight title showdown between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria.
The co-main event also brought clarity to the flyweight division, with Valentina Shevchenko turning back the challenge of Manon Fiorot. Her decisive unanimous decision victory now sets the stage for a blockbuster clash with strawweight champion Zhang Weili, a superfight that’s been years in the making and could mark one of the biggest matchups in women’s MMA history.
Critics who underestimated the card on paper were proven wrong. UFC 315 was rich with narrative development, high-stakes matchups, and career-redefining performances. It may not have boasted the most star-studded lineup, but it delivered where it mattered — intrigue, quality fights, and implications for multiple divisions.
As for what’s next, the MMA world is split. While Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev isn’t yet official, momentum is building fast. Della Maddalena showed he’s more than just a power puncher; his composure, striking variety, and surprisingly solid takedown defense have sparked legitimate curiosity about how he might match up with the pound-for-pound king. Some pundits believe Makhachev vs. Topuria is still the UFC’s preferred blockbuster for International Fight Week, but given the state of both divisions, Makhachev-Della Maddalena seems inevitable — even if it isn’t ideal for either weight class in the long run.
Meanwhile, Shevchenko vs. Weili feels like a now-or-never moment. Both women remain at the peak of their abilities, and fans have clamored for a superfight of this caliber. If Zhang moves up, it would open opportunities in the strawweight division for contenders like Virna Jandiroba. At flyweight, Natalia Silva continues to rise as a future title threat, but Shevchenko vs. Zhang is the kind of crossover clash that elevates the sport.
UFC 315 was also about legacy. Jose Aldo returned to action and, while the result against Aiemann Zahabi was controversial, the performance reminded fans of his greatness. Aldo, one of the top three fighters of all time by many accounts, appeared conflicted about his MMA future. While Saturday may have been his last Octagon appearance, few would be surprised if he seeks one final, fitting sendoff — perhaps against fellow legend Patricio Pitbull in Rio.
Among the most memorable moments of the night was Mike Malott’s knockout win over Charles Radtke, bringing the Canadian crowd to its feet. Another breakout performance came from Jasmine Jasudavicius, who ran through former champion Jessica Andrade, proving herself a future force at flyweight.
In every sense, UFC 315 was a turning point. A new welterweight king was crowned, superfight matchups took shape, and the sport's legends continued to add chapters to their storied careers.