Belal Muhammad, a prominent figure in the UFC welterweight division, claimed a decisive win against Leon Edwards of Jamaica during UFC 304. This notable event unfolded at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27, 2024. Soon, fans will be turning their attention to the 2025 UFC schedule. Highly anticipated in the line-up is UFC 315, slated for Saturday, May 10.
The fight card for UFC 315 is brimming with action, featuring two major championship bouts, is scheduled to happen at Montreal’s Bell Centre. This marks a special moment in UFC history as the promotion returns to Montreal for the first time in a decade. The previous UFC event held here occurred in April 2015, and the flyweight title battle between Demetrious Johnson and Kyoji Horiguchi was the main attraction of UFC 186.
Belal Muhammad, known for his impressive 24-3-0-1 professional record, embarked on his UFC journey with an unblemished 9-0 track. The UFC saw the potential in Muhammad after he donned the Titan FC welterweight title and consequently signed him in 2016. At the age of 27, he had successfully marked his entry into the prestigious promotion.
Muhammad operates with strategic precision in the Octagon, utilizing superb footwork at range, deftly maintaining his distance from the adversary and wisely avoiding getting pinned in the pocket. This tactical approach greatly bolstered his takedown defense skills. His precision and timing, coupled with his defensive prowess, ensure he seldom finds himself in an unfavorable position.
In a twist of fate, Belal Muhammad’s bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 was derailed due to a bone infection. Finding Rakhmonov unable to fight at UFC 314, the UFC arranged a match-up between Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal, offering fans an exciting alternative confrontation.
Jack Della Maddalena, boasting an impressive 17-2 record, officially became a UFC competitor in September 2021. His moment of triumph arrived following a win over Ange Loosa on Dana White’s Contender Series card, a victory representative of his first decision win. More recently, Della Maddalena shattered former UFC welterweight title contender Gilbert Burns in their encounter at UFC 299, securing victory in the third round through a knockout.
Valentina Shevchenko, riveting audiences with her record of 24-4-1, has been a mainstay in the UFC since 2015. She arrived in the promotion as an understudy to Germaine de Randamie for a UFC on FOX card fight against Sarah Kaufman. Her journey had its ups and downs, with early defeats precipitating a strategic shift in weight class down to 125 pounds.
Following her transition to the 125-pound category, Shevchenko embarked on a winning streak, etching one of the most remarkable records in UFC women’s division history. She demonstrated her prowess at her UFC 125-pound debut by dominating Priscila Cachoeira. Latterly, in a thrilling trilogy fight, Shevchenko reclaimed her title from UFC 306.
Another female fighter set to leave her indelible imprint is Manon Fiorot, with an impeccable 7-0 UFC record and a total professional standing of 12-1. Fiorot, 35 years old, is the second-ranked athlete in the official UFC women’s 125-pound rankings. She carries the legacy of being a former UAE Warrior’s flyweight champion, portending thrilling fights in her UFC tenure.
Fiorot was initiated into the UFC in 2021 and made a powerful debut by defeating Victoria Leonardo through knockout. Her subsequent performances maintained this momentum, leading to a consistent upward trajectory in the ranking. Fiorot has been on hiatus since triumphing over Blanchfield in a five-round battle, clinching the win by decision.