At UFC 315 in Montreal, there was one title change and another that remained the same, marking an event that, despite its unassuming appearance, had significant moments.
-
New Champion: Jack Della Madalena became the new welterweight champion by defeating Belal Muhammad. Della Madalena’s victory is notable, especially given his 0-2 start in the UFC. He effectively countered Muhammad’s strategies, showcasing his growth as a fighter.
-
Title Confusion: There seems to be some disorganization within the UFC regarding matchups, particularly with the prospects of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev challenging for the welterweight title and the delay this causes for contender Shabkat Rakmonov.
-
Women’s Division Needs Spark: Valentina Shevchenko continues to dominate the flyweight division, but there’s a push for more competitive matches as Shevchenko faces lesser-known challengers, indicating a need for revitalization.
-
Aldo’s Retirement: Jose Aldo announced his retirement after a loss to Ayman Zahabi, reflecting on his illustrious career and transition to bantamweight, which ultimately may not have worked out.
- Muhammad’s Future: Following his loss, there are questions about Belal Muhammad’s path forward. Despite his efforts, he may be viewed as a transitional champion, which feels unfair given his hard-fought title reign.
Overall, the event highlighted significant career arcs and challenges for fighters, setting the stage for potential future matchups and shifts in the divisions.
