UFC 315 ‘Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Bekzat Almakhan (136) vs. Brad Katona (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almakhan (-180), Katona (+150)

Round 1

The UFC is back in Montreal, the city of the world-famous Expos, for the first time in over a decade. Two champions will attempt to defend their thrones for the first times—with the first of those two on her second stint as a titleholder. Before then, an even 10 matches from flyweight to light heavyweight will play out with plenty of Canadians in tow to give the home crowd someone to support in most of those bouts. The first of those fights pits Canada’s Katona (14-4, 4-4 UFC) against the hard-swinging Almakhan (11-2, 0-1 UFC) at 135 pounds. With referee Jason Herzog taking charge of the contest, the two men consider touching gloves but bail so they can get after it. It’s time for some action. Almakhan takes the center of the cage, allowing Katona to circle around him. Almakhan leads the dance with a body shot, and then strings together a few punches up top before Katona could get away. When Katona settles down, Almakhan surges towards him and connects with a trio of punches. Katona ducks face-first into an uppercut, wears it well and counters to give the Kazakhstani a taste of his own medicine. Almakhan appears to have his foe’s timing early, as he bounces in and out while watching Katona’s movement carefully. The moment Katona is about to attack, Almakhan offers a destructive uppercut that sends Katona crashing to his back. Almakhan leaps on top, hammering “Superman” with hammerfists that prove to be Katona’s kryptonite. Herzog does not need to see more than a few before stepping in as Katona’s lights flicker on and off, and Almakhan has notched his first UFC victory in a huge way. “The Turan Warrior” violently becomes the first fighter to ever finish the durable Canadian, getting him out of there in a little over a minute. Despite a home country fighter getting wrecked in the opening bout, fans have to give it up to the impressive display from the Zhekpe Zhek practitioner.

The Official Result

Bekzat Almakhan def. Brad Katona R1 1:04 via KO (Punches)

Jeong Yeong Lee (146) vs. Daniel Santos (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lee (-115), Santos (-105)

Round 1

Moving right along, “Willycat” Santos (12-2, 2-1 UFC) gets a chance to go on a three-fight win streak if he can get past Lee (11-2, 2-1 UFC) in one of the few preliminary matches not featuring a Canuck. Both of these featherweights sport similar finish rates in the 65% range, which means referee Marc Goddard might be needed before all is said and done. There is a sporting glove touch to get going, and they get right to smacking one another in the lead leg. When Lee comes in to strike, Santos goes for a spinning back kick that whizzes past his foe. They let go with low kicks, and then trade punches. Santos lifts his foot up and around the shoulder, and he just blocks a returning high kick in the nick of time. Lee whiffs on an overhand right, and Santos counters with several body shots. Lee presses forward, and he eats a few more right hands to the midsection. Lee knocks Santos off his feet with a blistering right hand, and Santos leaps back up and grabs hold of Lee’s leg. Rather than get the takedown, he keeps moving and takes Lee’s back standing up. The Brazilian pushes his foe against the fence from behind, and Lee is warned for grabbing the fence to stay upright when Santos tries to wrench him down. Santos does get his man down for a second, and Lee springs back up and lets his hands go. Santos checks a leg kick and looses a right hand, and Lee responds with a jab to split the guard. Lee lands another hard jab, and this time Santos gives him something back to think about in the form of a right hand, a spinning wheel kick and several more body shots. Santos chains punches to the body and head, and Lee stands firm and knocks him back a step with a one-two. They throw body kicks at the same time, and Lee attacks the liver with his left hand. Santos has a wheel kick bounce off the raised guard, and he pushes forward and chains several punches together. Lee is not about to let him off the hook, and he cracks the Brazilian with a left hook that staggers Santos. “Willycat” gathers his thoughts, and chants for Lee rain down. Santos unloads a right hand that sends Lee flying, and Lee spins around and recovers while throwing back with bad intentions. These two let one another have it with violent body shots, and Santos pushes forward to pursue a single-leg takedown. Santos bails on it for a wheel kick try, and this intense round comes to a close. Judges will have their hands full with their tallies here.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lee

Round 2

The fighters hug it out to start off the second round, and Santos immediately gets going with a chain of punches to the body. Lee strikes back with a vengeance, and fists fly every which way as both men nail one another. Santos picks his man up and throws him down, and he jams his knee in the chest before Lee can stand. Lee fights out of a rear-naked choke setup and surges back to his feet, where Santos is ready and waiting for him so they can throw hands. Santos gets off a few punches to set up a takedown, where he drags the Korean fighter to his seat. Santos laces his legs around Lee’s to keep him grounded, and the action-spoiled fans start booing almost immediately. Lee uses elbows to frame off and score a little to open up a wall-walk escape. Santos opens up with punches as soon as he gets upright, and when Lee responds, Santos leaps in the air with a flying knee. Santos starts slapping Lee’s lead leg with kick after kick until Lee sets up checks, and this only allows the Brazilian to take him down again. Lee maintains butterfly hooks as soon as he hits his back on the open cage, and Santos does not mind as he postures up and hammers Lee with ground-and-pound. Lee attempts to strike back, but Santos’ blows are far more effective. Lee kicks off Santos’ chest to get some space, where he is able to stand back up despite Santos charging at him. The Brazilian pushes his foe to the wall, and he nails him with a left hand on the break to open a cut on the corner of Lee’s right eye. Lee swings back just as hard as ever, although he appears to be all power while Santos is more interested in combinations. In a phone booth, the two featherweights let another have it with power punches. Santos ducks one to set up a clinch, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos

Round 3

After 10 blood-and-guts minutes, the two share a longer embrace before trying to smash the other in the face. Unsurprisingly, smash the other in the face is exactly what they do. Santos leads off, Lee fires back, and Santos level changes. Lee throws his legs up on the way down to set up a triangle choke, only for Santos to shift to the side and position himself in side control as he establishes himself on top. The action slows down as Santos takes several breaths, and he slashes with an elbow or two until Lee scrambles. Lee turns to his knees and stands up, and Santos lifts him up from behind and deposits him right back to the floor. Lee once more jumps upright, shimmies to get Santos off his back, and they reset in striking range. Lee flashes out his jab, and Santos lets go with a front kick that pushes past the chin. Lee doubles up on his jab, putting a two behind it and driving Santos back. Santos kicks low, and Lee jabs again and again. Santos’ winging punches are more telegraphed than before, and his spin is equally inaccurate when Lee watches it go by. Santos shoots for a double-leg takedown as he pushes Lee to the wall, but Lee breaks off and eats a clean right hand on the jaw. Lee throws back, but Santos is the more accurate and harder puncher at the moment. Santos goes to the body with a kick, dodges a body shot and shoots from a distance on Lee’s left leg. Santos lifts his foe’s limb up and trips the other out, throwing Lee down in an interesting high-amplitude maneuver. Lee flinches when hitting the ground, appearing a bit frustrated at getting grounded. On a lull, Lee pushes off and stands up, and he motions for Santos to bring it on. Lee stalks his foe down and jabs him, and he measures an uppercut when Santos shoots for a single. When Santos abandons the takedown, he fires off a head kick that pounds into the guard. “Willycat” escapes the remainder of the confrontation, disappointing the fans in the building for not going for broke with seconds to go. The fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Santos)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Santos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Santos)

The Official Result

Daniel Santos def. Jeong Yeong Lee via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Marc-Andre Barriault (185) vs. Bruno Silva (187: Missed Weight)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barriault (-148), Silva (+124)

Round 1

Two skidding knockout artists will try to smash the other, with a pink slip very likely awarded to the losing party. What was a middleweight contest transformed into a catchweight affair as Silva (23-12, 4-6 UFC) missed weight by a pound after asking matchmaker Mick Maynard to give him one more chance. Barriault (16-9, 1 NC; 5-8, 1 NC UFC) also has his back against the wall, but he will have the crowd on his side at least. The two hard-swinging gentlemen do not touch gloves, as referee Luc Lefebvre watches on. Barriault sticks out his jab almost immediately, and he walks face-first into a right hand and fires back to make Silva clutch his eye. The Brazilian recovers and resets, lashing out with two punches that miss the mark and darting back to avoid the counter. Silva reaches out with a right hand and digs a knee to the body, switching stances to set up a kick that does not come. Barriault boots him in the body, and Silva catches the kick and knocks him over with swarming punches. Barriault climbs back up to his feet and jams Silva against the fence, where he unloads with titanic elbows. His power bar maximum, “Power Bar” smashes Silva in the temple with elbow after ruthless elbow. Silva’s legs wobble and quickly give way, and he collapses face-first on the mat, totally done while Barriault finishes the job with four concussive punches. The crowd explodes in favor of the Canadian, with “Ole ole ole” chants drowning out any other thought. Silva is still down, as medical officials tend to him. He slowly regains consciousness, but is completely disoriented and clutches his head while Barriault walks to the center of the cage and puts his hands in the prayer gesture. Silva rolls to his back, in serious agony, and Barriault’s celebration is tempered but emotional as he embraces his team. This marks the first time that Silva had ever been knocked out as a pro, and it is a rough one as the medical team tends to him and stretchers him out of the cage.

The Official Result

Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva R1 1:27 via KO (Elbows and Punches)

Ivan Erslan (205) vs. Navajo Stirling (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Stirling (-298), Erslan (+240)

Round 1

A pair of strikers at 205 pounds will lead off the ESPN portion of the prelims, when unbeaten Kiwi Stirling (6-0, 1-0 UFC) runs into Croatian demolition man Erslan (14-4, 1 NC; 0-1 UFC). The two celebrate 14 knockouts across their 20 combined victories, and referee Erick Philippeaux is well aware that this could end with one crushing blow. Before they try to lop one another’s head off—figuratively, of course—they bump their large fists together. Stirling strikes first with a half-hearted low kick to find his distance, and Erslan comes out firing with two swiping punches that miss the mark. Stirling pitches out a few more kicks to the leg and body, and he aims one high but is out of range. Erslan catches him at the end of a right hand, and the Croatian backs off and surges forward with another pair of punches. Stirling comes up short on a spinning wheel kick, and he settles down and chips away with kicks from both legs. Erslan walks him down calmly, parrying a few punches to get one over the top. Stirling kicks his man in the ribs, and he has a trio of punches not land flush. Stirling does score another body kick, and he jabs and reaches with a lead hook. The body kick is the best weapon for the unbeaten fighter, who keeps Erslan at bay with his longer legs. Erslan whiffs on a big right hand, and Stirling hammers his front leg a few times as Erslan stands awkwardly on it. Erslan swings for the fences with a monster right hand, but it is his more measured hooks that connect. Sterling again cannot find a home for his spin kick, with Erslan in too close range to let it hit him. Erslan’s left hand opens a cut on the inside corner of Stirling’s eyebrow. Stirling goes to the body, and Erslan responds in kind. Stirling keeps chipping away with kicks, and Erslan’s right bicep start to welt up. Stirling jabs from afar a few times, and his leg kick scores more. Erslan pushes him away and backs to the wall, looking for his left hook but not finding it. They both swing hard, and Erslan connects with it better and backs his man off. Stirling kicks his man in the ribcage and has a low kick checked, and Erslan goes to the body and head with counters. Stirling kicks and bangs into the arm that is turning red in a hurry, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erslan
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erslan
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Erslan

Round 2

Erslan rushes out of his corner to engage, and he stings his foe with a right hand but eats one back in response. Erslan suddenly shoots in for a double-leg takedown, and the fans in the building respond by booing loudly. Erslan manages to circle around to the back of his foe, but he cannot keep him there as Stirling turns him about. Stirling lifts Erslan’s leg up and drags him to the floor awkwardly, and it is Erslan who has to fight off the wrestling. Stirling hits a mat return, putting Erslan down lightly and smacking him with a free right hand. Erslan gets to a knee and hits a switch, and suddenly it is him again controlling the grappling. The Croatian fighter gets in a few knees to the side while holding on from the back, leaning heavily on Stirling against the cage. Stirling once more turns him around and this time breaks free, where Erslan quickly punches him square in the face. Stirling responds with body kicks, and he aims a few punches to the ribs for good measure. Erslan comes back over the top with a right hand, and then misses with two subsequent looping hooks. Erslan swings hard but is not able to find his target, and Stirling dances back and kicks him. Stirling shoots, and Erslan pushes him away and nails him with an overhand right. Erslan finds another on the same spot, and a third when Stirling tries to slide to the side. Erslan rips a few body shots and opens up a left hand to the chin, and he backs off when Stirling starts to kick at him. Stirling lunges but misses with a flurry, and he kicks the lead leg and backs off as the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stirling
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Stirling
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Stirling

Round 3

The fighters meet in the center of the cage, and Stirling leads off with slapping kicks to the front leg and side. Erslan looks to sway and avoid jabs, but Stirling still reaches him a few times. Erslan looks for an overhand right counter when the kick comes, and Stirling is wise to it and slides back in the nick of time. Erslan wraps a right hand around the guard as Stirling is ducking, and Stirling gathers himself and kicks a few more times to the lead leg. Erslan plods forward behind his overhand right, and he clips Stirling with one and does not care when Stirling hits him back. Erslan lands a right hand, and Stirling steps in with a knee to the body in a clinch. Stirling surprises Erslan with an uppercut, and he eats a counter but did far more damage with his own blow. Stirling fights behind his jab, and Erslan connects with an overhand right. Stirling crashes the pocket looking for a single, and he bullies the Croatian fighter to the fence. Stirling transitions to a double, and Erslan tosses him aside and catches him with a flush right hand. Stirling shakes it off and comes back at him, only to get tagged with another right up top. Stirling rails his opponent with a one-two that shakes Erslan to his core, who shoots in for a single out of desperation. Stirling stops the takedown attempt and smashes him in the face with an elbow. Erslan is loving this, and he raises his arms in to the air to call on more. Stirling obliges him with several more punches, and he knocks Erslan down to his face. Philippeaux allows things to play out even though Erslan face-planted, and Stirling punches his man in the back of the head and then leaps on top looking for the finish. He pushes Erslan to his back and starts bombarding him with punches, stepping into mount and trying to punch his man out. Time expires before Stirling gets the job done.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Stirling (29-27 Stirling)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Stirling (29-27 Stirling)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Stirling (29-28 Stirling)

The Official Result

Navajo Stirling def. Ivan Erslan via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

Modestas Bukauskas (203) vs. Ion Cutelaba (205)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bukauskas (-112), Cutelaba (-108)

Round 1

Keeping to the light heavyweight division, there is a very realistic scenario that both men will hold .500 records in the Octagon if one man prevails. Bukauskas (17-6, 5-4 UFC) has done his absolute best to make up for an early rough stretch, while “The Hulk” Cutelaba (19-10-1, 1 NC; 8-9-1 UFC) is aiming to smash his way back to that midpoint range. Both men vastly prefer the knockout, but they have also sustained multiple stoppage losses of that type in the past as well. Referee Dan Miragliotta dons his proverbial hard hat as the 31-year-olds do not bother to touch gloves. Bukauskas leads off with a long, leaping jab. Cutelaba kicks him back in the front leg, doing so one more time when Bukauskas changes stances. Cutelaba keeps at it until Bukauskas fires one back at him, and it does not slow him for long. Cutelaba turns his hips into an especially heavy calf kick, and he leans back as a one-two comes up just short of his face. Bukauskas is unable to reach his foe with punches, while Cutelaba kicks him at will. Bukauskas steps in and catches Cutelaba with a left hand, and he follows with a right that “The Hulk” takes on the chin without batting an eye. Cutelaba fires back with an overhand right, and he offers a body kick and spins with a wheel kick that both bounce off the guard. Cutelaba catches Bukauskas at the end of a calf kick, and he parries a body kick and blocks a subsequent head kick. Bukauskas snaps out a jab, and he sways to avoid the worst of an overhand right. Cutelaba does not falter kicking the front leg time and time again, and they clash together with hooks that partially land. Cutelaba has a massive uppercut and right hand knock out the air around the Lithuanian, and he plants his legs and pounds on Bukauskas’ from leg. Bukauskas gets off a two-punch combo and rushes back knowing “The Hulk” is coming after him. Bukauskas chains together two one-twos that catch the Moldovan on the chin, and once more, he no-sells them and walks forward. They both miss with spinning back kicks to the body, and Cutelaba tries to corner Bukauskas with a low kick and times a left hand when Bukauskas advances. Cutelaba plants his heel on Bukauskas’ side with a spin kick, and Bukauskas tries to do something similar but cannot score it. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba

Round 2

The second round opens up with Cutelaba pressing forward, landing a few punches and mixing in kicks. The Moldovan follows the success with another blitz, backing his opponent up and drilling Bukauskas with a right hand. They crash together, and Cutelaba spins with an elbow that bangs into Bukauskas’ jaw. It is Cutelaba who goes flying after the blow lands, because he spun himself off-balance, and he recovers quickly. Cutelaba considers a level change, and he runs into a stone wall that he pushes against the fence. Cutelaba grinds his man against the fencing, offering a knee or two but otherwise stalling out. They jockey for position when in the clinch, and Miragliotta separates them. Cutelaba spins with a wheel kick out of nowhere, and both men trip and nearly go down without the strike connecting. They get back to their feet, and Cutelaba chases his man with an overhand right. When he pitches a naked leg kick, Bukauskas counters with two punches. Cutelaba sits down on a hard right hand, and Bukauskas has to blink it out but is otherwise unconcerned. Cutelaba keeps his guard up, and he rushes forward and lands a couple punches and a kick at the end. Cutelaba offers a leg kick and ducks down to fire off a right hand when he sees Bukauskas coming forward, and he throws a wheel kick so hard that he falls over when it is way out of range. Cutelaba stands, and he initiates a brawl. Bukauskas catches him and nearly gets blasted, having to circle around to regain his footing. One final brawl ensues, with Bukauskas getting the better of the final exchange before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba

Round 3

Cutelaba is energized to start off the final frame, pushing forward immediately but not able to catch Bukauskas standing still. He settles for a few chopping calf kicks, and he shoots in for a double from afar that Bukauskas is able to defend thanks to the wall behind him. The clinch position stalls the two 205ers out, who trade occasional knees but do little more to satisfy Miragliotta. They are separated, and Cutelaba is the aggressor again. Clipping Bukauskas with a left hand, Cutelaba keeps marching forward and lashes out with a low kick that scores, and a spinning back kick that bangs into his foe’s midsection. Cutelaba stomps out with a kick to the front knee, and Bukauskas is tired of waiting and lays into “The Hulk” with a massive right hand. Cutelaba does not so much as flinch, and eats another huge punch that he once more shrugs off. Cutelaba follows his foe around the cage, and he skims a spin kick off the body and reaches at the end of a right hand. Bukauskas goes high with a kick that is blocked, and he stings Cutelaba with a check hook and forces the Moldovan to shoot in on his hips. Bukauskas stops the takedown but is otherwise pushed to the wire, where they spin one another around. They give one another knees to the guts, and Cutelaba goes for a trip that is unable to get his man down. Bukauskas pushes off and lets his hands go, only for Cutelaba to tie him back up. Miragliotta calls for action as Bukauskas leans on his opponent, and he breaks and spins with an elbow. Cutelaba busts him in the chops with a right hand, and swings for the bleachers with a few more. The final strike of the fight is a spinning kick from the Lithuanian to the midsection, and a slightly bloodied Cutelaba raises his hands to signal he thinks he won the fight. Time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Cutelaba)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Cutelaba)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Cutelaba)

The Official Result

Modestas Bukauskas def. Ion Cutelaba via Split Decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)

Jessica Andrade (126) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (124)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jasudavicius (-298), Andrade (+240)

Round 1

Andrade (26-13, 17-11 UFC), the winningest female fighter in the company, would like nothing more than to add one more to her ledger. Standing in her way will be significant betting favorite and sentimental local favorite Jasudavicius (13-3, 7-2 UFC), who rides the longest win streak (four) of her career. Referee Jason Herzog clocks the flyweights in as they get down to business, starting off with a glove touch. Andrade takes the center of the Octagon, while Jasudavicius looks for a jab that is out of range early. Andrade rushes out with a right hand and then hops back, and she leans in with kicks on the inside and outside of the lead leg. Jasudavicius kicks her back once, and she tags the Brazilian with a one-two. Andrade smiles at her. Andrade tosses out a right hand and a low kick, and her foe catches her with a long right hand. When Andrade tries to strike back, Jasudavicius lifts her in the air and slams her down hard. Jasudavicius starts beating on the former strawweight champ, landing punches and taking her back. Andrade looks to crawl back up, and Jasudavicius is a 125-pound weight on her back dragging her down. Jasudavicius gets one hook in and starts fishing for a rear-naked choke. When there is no submission, Jasudavicius smacks her on both sides of the head. Jasudavicius flattens Andrade out, and she wraps up a rear-naked choke that is tight as a drum. Andrade posts off and tries to grit it out, but there is nothing she can do at this point in that position. With her other hand, “Bate Estaca” taps out, and the roof on the building practically blows off. The Canadian releases the grip and rushes to her corner to celebrate, who award her with her Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt as a prize for the career-best triumph. It was smooth sailing for the Canadian, who barely got touched by one of the most dangerous women to ever grace the cage.

The Official Result

Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Jessica Andrade R1 2:40 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Mike Malott (171) vs. Charlie Radtke (171)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malott (-192), Radtke (+160)

Round 1

Halifax native Malott (11-2-1, 4-1 UFC) will attempt to put a bow on the prelims for his home country fans, and with 10 stoppages in his 11 pro wins, referee Marc Goddard will need to be on his A game. Standing across from him is a frustrated but very dangerous Radtke (10-4, 3-1 UFC), who does not like being booed even though he is in hostile territory. Tensions ran high at the weigh-ins as Radtke flipped off the crowd while draped in an American flag, and he will have the next 15 minutes or less to send an additional message. There is no touch of gloves to get going. Radtke reaches the center of the cage first, advancing forward and walking through a stomping kick to his knee so he can lash out with a right hand. Radtke dodges it and pushes off with a side kick, and he steps in with a left hand and a push kick. Malott sits down on a trio of punches to catch Radtke unaware, who tanks them well and responds with an overhand right. Malott kicks the lead knee a few more times, and he connects with a left hand over the top. Crude chants against Radtke rain down, who is promptly kicked in the ribs by the Canadian. Malott pins a one-two on the chin, and he dances out of the way of a counter. Malott sits down in four crisp punches, with Radtke’s chin holding up well. The chants rain down again, directing Radtke to do something inappropriate as Malott wraps a head kick around his guard and chains a spinning back kick into it. Radtke plods forward, clubbing Malott with a pair of hooks. Malott aims a front kick and connects at the end of a one-two, and he continues to beat on Radtke’s knee. The chants come a third time, and Malott channels that energy by kicking “Chuck Buffalo” in the head. Radtke swarms him, catching Malott with several punches that shake him up. Malott responds with a knee to the gut and breaks off, kicking the front leg on the way out. The punches from the American bust Malott’s nose open, who crashes the pocket and misses the mark with a swinging left. Malott connects with a body kick, leaning back to avoid a left hand and working on Radtke’s knee again. Radtke eats a few punches to swing on Malott, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Malott
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Malott

Round 2

The fighters meet in the middle, and they promptly throw hands. Malott backs off, parrying the advancing Radtke and blasting him with a left hook that makes him crash into the cage. Malott whiffs on a high kick as Radtke circles away to get his bearings, and he walks the American down and plants a one-two square on his forehead. This time, Malott does not stop with two punches, and the third, a crisp left hook, sends “Chuck Buffalo” collapsing to his seat. Radtke lays on his back clutching his head, and Malott sprints towards him and bombards him with five blistering punches that knock Radtke all the way out and back in again. As the Canadian drums Radtke’s skull off the cage floor, blood spraying from his busted jaw, Goddard runs towards them to stop the fight. The audience that had already voiced full-throated support for their man goes ballistic, and it is deafening in the building. “Proper Mike” hoists the Canadian flag and climbs to the top of the cage, waving it in the air as he drinks in all the love in the building. Radtke sits up and tries to stand, but he has to be helped to the stool. Malott goes to shake hands with everyone willing to engage him, and he slams his hand on the corner post of a sponsor to make a point. The fighters shake hands, burying any beef that had developed during the week.

The Official Result

Mike Malott def. Charlie Radtke R2 0:26 via KO (Punches)

Kyle Prepolec (156) vs. Benoit St. Denis (156)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: St. Denis (-1100), Prepolec (+700)

Round 1

On short notice, the hard-charging St. Denis (13-3, 1 NC; 5-3 UFC) went from facing Joel Alvarez to drawing streaking Prepolec (18-8, 0-2 UFC) on his comeback tour after washing out of the UFC in 2019 with two losses. The 27 finishes across the two’s 31 total victories means that referee Luc Lefebvre is almost certainly going to get involved before this is all over. They touch gloves, glad to be still fighting on this event, and then the lightweights let one another have it. St. Denis is the first to engage with a low kick, and he lands a second before shooting in for a double. Prepolec is easily taken down, and he defends on his back by fishing for a kimura. The Canadian is able to scoot his way to the fence while clinging to the right arm of his opponent, but St. Denis ignores it as he looks to get a hook in and take the back while Prepolec is seated. The crowd grows restless as St. Denis hangs on the back, fighting the grip but stuck unable to improve his position. St. Denis calmly wriggles his arm out, which he uses to start slugging Prepolec with punches and elbows, a few landing to the back of the head. St. Denis fastens a rear-naked choke that is on the chin, and he releases it to further beat on the late replacement. St. Denis tugs on Prepolec’s face with his hand before switching to go for a rear-naked choke on the other side. Prepolec toughs out to fight to his feet, but St. Denis instantly mat returns him in the open cage. St. Denis fastens the body triangle around the waist and hunts for chokes, unable to get the forearm under the chin and just squeezing the Canadian’s face. Prepolec turns to his knees after breaking the grip, and St. Denis knees him in the side of the head legally and jumps on his back when Prepolec stands. St. Denis secures a rear-naked choke grip that is firmly on the jaw, and he crushes it down as hard as he can. Prepolec turns his head to relieve the pressure, and the one-sided round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis

Round 2

The lightweights touch gloves, and Prepolec knows St. Denis is coming hard and nails him with a clean left hand. St. Denis shows immediate swelling from the power punch and shoots for a takedown, but Prepolec defends it. St. Denis bears down on him, connecting with several swarming punches until Prepolec pushes off and jams a finger into his eye. St. Denis protests, and Lefebvre pauses the action for a couple dozen seconds. When they restart, Prepolec catches St. Denis again with a power punch, and St. Denis gather his thoughts and attacks recklessly. Prepolec tags him again, and he gets bullied back to the fence where St. Denis elbows him hard instead of taking him down. St. Denis hurts Prepolec with elbows and mixes in another takedown effort, but he bails on it and loads up when they separate to knock Prepolec’s head around. St. Denis gets his man to the wall and starts battering him with elbows, and he rips knees to the body. Prepolec goes to the body with punches, but St. Denis is drilling him with elbows that he cannot seem to avoid. St. Denis wraps his arm around his foe’s waist and wrenches him to the ground, where he climbs into half guard and wraps up a crushing arm-triangle choke almost immediately. The Canadian steps over to the side, and the moment he does, the late replacement knows his goose is cooked and surrenders. St. Denis releases the grip and does not go off to celebrate, instead embracing his fallen foe and presumably thanking him for taking the fight. With the stoppage victory, “God of War” is once again in the win column, and his 100% finish rate stays intact.

The Official Result

Benoit St. Denis def. Kyle Prepolec R2 2:35 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

Alexa Grasso (126) vs. Natalia Silva (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-238), Grasso (+195)

Round 1

Depending on how the rest of the division shakes out, this main card flyweight affair could turn into a title eliminator. Grasso (16-4-1, 8-4-1 UFC) may have lost convincingly in her last time out against champ Valentina Shevchenko, but she still holds a victory over the woman with the most consecutive title defenses in the UFC. Silva (18-5-1, 6-0 UFC) would love to pull the plug on that party and have her own rise to the throne, which may come if she beats the Mexican boxer. Referee Erick Philippeaux joins the two in the high-stakes affair, and he steps back as the ladies race together without a glove touch in sight. Grasso tosses out a low kick to say hello, and Silva is quick to retaliate up high. Silva then chops the lead leg with her own kick, allowing Grasso to double up on a jab. Silva, in the center of the cage, strings a head kick into three punches. Grasso keeps her guard up when striking and spinning, as Silva’s racing counters bound into her gloves. They trade low kicks, and Silva gets the better of her foe with three quick punches off the forward bow. Silva puts out two punches and pitches a slapping leg kick, and again Grasso doubles up on her jab. Silva kicks low and then up high, and Grasso is stuck with little of her own but a jab. Silva attacks with a head kick, and she falls over. Grasso sprints at her to secure top position, but Silva bounces back up before she is further grounded. Silva wall-walks and pushes off Grasso’s face to get away, and she returns to her game of circling and pump-faking with the occasional low kick. Grasso puts two jabs in her face, and the Brazilian counters her with a hook up top. Silva surprises her with a side kick to the nose, and Grasso is tough and stays composed with her jab first. Silva pushes out a front kick to the chest, with a significantly more varied and active offense than the former champ. Grasso kicks low, and Silva brushes her foe’s hair with a kick. Grasso probes out with her jab, not putting anything behind it, and Silva smacks her with a side kick to the stomach and a spinning wheel kick up top. Grasso is stuck in first gear, and Silva gets away with a hook kick that nearly lands. Grasso’s jab ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 2

The second round opens with Grasso jabs, doubled up with little else going on. Silva kicks her back, landing around Grasso’s raised knee guard. Silva slaps her foe upside the head with the instep of her foot, and she dances away and tags Grasso with a check hook when Grasso flicks out a few jabs. Grasso tries to catch the leg, but Silva recoils it before anything comes of it. The Mexican fighter darts forward, and Silva’s quick hook counters keep catching her. The power is extremely low, but she is touching her opponent. Grasso finally throws and lands a punch other than a jab, a right hand that bangs into the surging fighter’s chin. Silva scampers away before anything else can reach her, and Grasso bounces on her heels to reset. Silva kicks Grasso in the head and snipes her with a left hook as Grasso marches forward, and Grasso’s chin holds up without worry. Silva pecks out her own jab when Grasso plants her feet in front of her, and Grasso still can do nothing but jab. The fans are not amused. Grasso loops out two punches that are far away from the target, and she manages to get one off but is kicked in the head and eats a right hand in rapid succession. Silva skips another kick off the guard, and she swings hard but misses the mark. Grasso decides it’s time to start fighting suddenly, and the two erupt into a shocking 10-second brawl where they sting one another and bloody Grasso’s face up. Grasso also has multiple lumps all over her forehead, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva

Round 3

Grasso starts off the last round as aggressively as she left off, and Silva is ready for it. Grasso slows herself down, and then suddenly speeds up and crashes forward in pursuit of a takedown. Silva backs herself to the wall, defending the level change with ease, even though Grasso is pushing hard for it. Grasso scores a single knee, and Silva turns her around and puts her back to the wall. Grasso looks for a few more knees, and they break apart. Grasso gets back to jabbing, and she reaches the Brazilian with a left hook. Silva retaliates with a head kick that brushes the top of the head. When Grasso plants her feet, Silva cracks her with three power punches. Grasso is shaken up, and she advances to start up throwing hard. When she gets off a punch or two, Silva splits away, and she sneaks in a high kick when Grasso races after it. Grasso continues to power forward, even lowering her head and ducking down to let her hands go. Silva chips at her with low kicks and punches up top, and she pushes Grasso back with a front kick. Grasso lunges in, and she gets clipped once more by the Brazilian. Silva keeps skirting from side to side, and she blasts the former champ with a nasty head kick that cuts Grasso under the eye and rocks her for a moment. Silva celebrates her handiwork by chopping down with a calf kick and spinning with a wheel kick, as blood streams down the Mexican’s eyebrow. Grasso jabs her way forward and even offers her own high kick, but Silva sees it all coming and switches stances to throw a tornado kick that bounces off the guard. Silva is all smiles, connecting with one final flurry of punches and a high kick, letting out a squeak as the fight ends as she knows this should firmly be in her pocket. The odd fight ends, and a new flyweight contender has arrived.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)

The Official Result

Natalia Silva def. Alexa Grasso via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jose Aldo (143) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (142)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aldo (-218), Zahabi (+180)

Round 1

A day and a half ago, the “featured fight of the night” slot was booked as a bantamweight affair. Elder statesman and beloved champ Aldo (32-9, 14-8 UFC) could not get close to 136 pounds, so he and Zahabi (12-2, 6-2 UFC) agreed to bump it up to featherweight to keep it together due to strange Canadian weight regulations. In what could be a passing of the torch match—this could be said about the last five fights or so for the ex-WEC champ—referee Dan Miragliotta will be installed as the cage commander. The two relieved fighters who did not have to cut nearly as much weight as they expected bump fists to get the fight started. Aldo marches forward, guard high, and Zahabi circles all the way around him. Aldo keeps following his foe, neither man throwing a strike of merit for the first 50 seconds. Aldo finally lands a jab, but it is just one jab. Zahabi jabs him back, and Aldo responds with a speedy head kick that bounces into his foe’s armpit. Zahabi jumps in and out to strike, and Aldo lets go with a body kick and two hooks. Aldo cracks the Canadian with a right hand, sending Zahabi back in a hurry. He lands another right hand, and lifts up a knee to counter something that does not get to him. Zahabi gets off two punches, and Aldo does not even register them and loads up a right hand that bangs into the Canadian’s head. Zahabi reaches his foe with a body kick, and Aldo continues marching forward without fear. Aldo lifts his knee up to block a high kick, and he jabs with the ball of his foot extended. Aldo rips the body with two punches, and Zahabi’s guard lower as he frowns. Aldo doubles up on a jab to strike with a right hand, and he gets countered and sways to avoid the worst of them. Aldo counters Zahabi coming in with a hook, and he jabs the body when he notices Zahabi is not retaliating. Aldo scores a mighty low kick, and Zahabi walks towards him to score a pair of punches. Zahabi flashes a grin, and he splits the guard with a few jabs and a couple right hands. Aldo leans back and dodges several punches, and he engages with power offense of his own. Aldo uses a power jab to set up further punches, and he no-sells a left hook and fires one back. Aldo goes to the body, and Zahabi counters with a front kick and a punch. Aldo cracks him with a left hand, and the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aldo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Aldo
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Aldo

Round 2

Zahabi starts off the round in a flurry, crashing the pocket and kneeing the former champ flush in the chest. Aldo forces him to settle down with a front kick to the midsection. Aldo flicks out a quick jab, and he sneaks in a low kick before Zahabi can get to him. Aldo checks a kick and swings for the fences, but the Canadian is able to escape them. Aldo checks a leg kick and snaps out his jab, intercepting his advancing opponent every time. Zahabi walks through a few to try to strike, and Aldo goes to the body and head. When Zahabi strikes back, Aldo is nowhere to be found. Aldo pounds the body with a right hand, and he takes a left hook on the forehead so he can rifle off a big hook of his own. Aldo slips a punch and has one scrape off his forehead, and they jab one another up. The former beltholder plays the matador, absorbing a single left hand and landing his own. Zahabi’s foot rises up in a combination, and his foot strikes the groin. He immediately apologizes, and Aldo knows it was totally by accident. They restart in a few seconds, with Zahabi cut on the side of his right eye. Aldo lets him come at him so he can counter, and he ducks a leaping left hand to sneak away. Zahabi kicks him square in the groin, and this time, Aldo is a little more irritated and takes some time, while saying “that’s two” to Miragliotta. Time is called, and Aldo is perturbed but they tap gloves to get going after 15 seconds and push ahead. Zahabi aims a kick much lower to avoid the groin, and he has another get checked. Aldo whips a body shot at him and looks to dodge a jab. Zahabi clips the former beltholder with a left hand, and Aldo pushes off with a front kick and a few jabs. Zahabi dings him with another left, and Aldo shakes his head. Aldo leaps in the air, landing a flying knee to the body at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aldo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Aldo
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Aldo

Round 3

The fighters hug it out as the last round begins. Zahabi reintroduces himself with a one-two, beating Aldo to the punch with a few strikes until Aldo revs up his own engine and stinging the Canadian. Aldo lets Zahabi fly past him, but when Zahabi resets, Zahabi lands three punches down the middle. Aldo shakes his head and drives a knee into his chest. Two body shots from the Brazilian land cleanly, and he ducks down and takes a left hand over the top along with a knee to the body. Aldo surges into action, hurting Zahabi with a knee, a right hand and a head kick that send him flying. Aldo punches his foe and drills Zahabi with a legal soccer kick, and Zahabi is all over the place and barely with it. Aldo chases after him and blasts him with another soccer kick, and Zahabi flops to his back and survives it. Miraculously, Zahabi is still in the fight, and he manages to stand back in front of Aldo, who is looking hard at the clock. The Brazilian is totally spent trying to force the finish, and suddenly momentum has shifted again. Zahabi pours it on, and he marches Aldo down and starts hurting him. A gassed Aldo shoots for a takedown, and Zahabi bowls him over and starts landing punches. Zahabi sits in Aldo’s guard, unleashing heavy punches and elbows. Zahabi continues to assault the former champ with unblocked elbows, and Aldo hangs on tight with nothing left to offer. Aldo keeps his hands up and breathes as hard as one can, and he clings to Zahabi while Zahabi offers more elbows. Zahabi complains that Aldo is holding his glove, and a moment of confusion leads to Zahabi hammering Aldo with more elbows. One slashing elbow shreds open a cut on the middle of Aldo’s forehead, and blood streams down his face immediately. Zahabi keeps pouring it on, looking to Miragliotta for a stoppage that is not yet to come. Every time Zahabi nails Aldo, he looks to Miragliotta. Aldo holds on to save himself and run out the clock, and Zahabi helps him back to his feet when the shocking match concludes. Both teams lift their fighters on their shoulders and parade them around the cage, embracing while held on the shoulders. What a fight.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Aldo)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Aldo)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Aldo)

The Official Result

Aiemann Zahabi def. Jose Aldo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

UFC Women’s Flyweight Title Fight:
Valentina Shevchenko (124) vs. Manon Fiorot (125)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fiorot (-148), Shevchenko (+124)

Round 1

For the first time since 2022, champion Shevchenko (24-4-1, 13-3-1 UFC) will be facing a woman not named Grasso. She draws surging Frenchwoman Fiorot (12-1, 7-0 UFC), who could become the first French-born undisputed champion in UFC history—Ciryl Gane won the interim heavyweight strap. To the surprise of some, Fiorot will close as the betting favorite, but when the cage door closes, it’s all between the two flyweights and referee Marc Goddard. They cordially tap their gloves together to make it official. Shevchenko slaps out a leg kick and leans to avoid a head kick, with Fiorot advancing early. Shevchenko pushes her away to score a body kick, and she zips away before another high kick can reach her. Shevchenko clips the challenger with a one-two, who seems surprised by the blows and has to blink them out. Shevchenko blocks a kick to get off a right hand, and she ducks a right hook when Fiorot strikes. Fiorot plants a kick on the lead leg, and she is countered when trying a second. Shevchenko lets Fiorot come in so she can catch her with a check right hook, and Fiorot looks for a kick on the other side. Shevchenko considers changing levels, but ends up blocking a kick and skirting to the side. Shevchenko stands the Frenchwoman up with a right hand, and her low kick continues to find its mark. Shevchenko flicks up a kick to the nose that reddens it up fast, and Fiorot adjusts it. Shevchenko spins with a wheel kick, and Fiorot dodges but cannot get her hands on the champ. Fiorot walks face-first into a right hand, and she bangs her lead leg into her foe’s guard. The right hand from Shevchenko bloodies up Fiorot’s nose, and she stings her again and shakes her up. The nose for the challenger is busted and bleeding badly just three minutes in, and Fiorot ignores it and surges forward. Shevchenko dances easily out of the way to reset, and she is met with a kick that she catches and tackles Fiorot to the ground. Shevchenko lands in half guard, where she lords over her foe and completely controls her. Goddard asks for more action, with Shevchenko content to impose heavy shoulder pressure. Fiorot elbows her opponent in the posterior while Shevchenko lands a few punches, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko

Round 2

Fiorot starts the round with her foot flying, and she shoots in for a double. Shevchenko leans against the wall to defend it, and she ducks away to escape. Shevchenko whips a kick up high that starts the bleeding again, and Fiorot promptly wipes her nose. Shevchenko spins with a back kick that slams into her ribs, and she skips away to evade a counter. Fiorot level changes and hits a 5-foot-5 wall that punches her in the face. Fiorot comes up short with a head kick, and she goes after a single that is equally futile. Shevchenko stands and waits for her opponent to come to her, countering her and hitting a trip to put the Frenchwoman on the mat. Fiorot scrambles madly to flip Shevchenko over, and they both get to their feet. Shevchenko beats Fiorot to the punch with her jab repeatedly, and she shoots for a double and cannot quite get it as Fiorot hops around skillfully. Fiorot pushes her foe back to get back to kickboxing range, and she raises up a high kick that gets blocked. Fiorot shoots for a takedown, and Shevchenko sprawls against the wall. Fiorot peels her leg away and grabs her from behind, leaning on the champ and kneeing her to the back of the thigh. Shevchenko spins away, but not before eating an elbow. Fiorot’s head kick cannot find its target, and she times a right hand with a takedown shot. Fiorot uses pure brute force to lift Shevchenko up in the air and dump her down, where she laces her legs around “Bullet” to pin her to her seat. Shevchenko posts off her right arm and barely blocks an illegal knee while she was grounded that Goddard did not see. Shevchenko does not protest, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot

Round 3

Goddard issues a hard warning between rounds, having acknowledged the near-foul, and the ladies get back to combat. They trade leg kicks to start, and Shevchenko goes high while Fiorot goes low a second time. Fiorot ignores a head kick that soars past her, and she stands there waiting for more offense to come at her. It is another blockable head kick, and she stuffs a takedown and reaches out with a right hand as Fiorot abandons it. The champ kicks the inside of the lead leg and flicks out a few jabs to get some space, and she nearly gets caught with a high kick. Shevchenko kicks the outer side of the leg, and they crash together when both going for level changes. Fiorot brings up a knee and an elbow, and Shevchenko scores a few jabs. When Fiorot charges, Shevchenko turns to the side and sprints around the cage to reset. Shevchenko shoots for a takedown that is unsuccessful, and she comes up top with a right hand. Fiorot fails on her own takedown effort, and she clinches up to drive four knees to the midsection. Shevchenko misses on a front kick to break, and she proceeds to work the front leg further. Fiorot flails her way in, inaccurate with her approach, and Shevchenko knees her in the face when Fiorot ducks down. This does not deter the Frenchwoman, who looks for a body lock takedown. Fiorot scores a knee or two to the inner thigh, and she plants one on the groin that Shevchenko once again does not protest. On the break, Shevchenko busts her foe’s nose open again with a right hand. The jab is soon to follow from the champ, who spins with a powerful back fist that forces Fiorot to shoot. Fiorot uses pure power to elevate her foe, and Shevchenko is able to hop around and keep her balance with the wall at her side. Fiorot knees the back of the leg, and Shevchenko pushes off the cage as Fiorot’s team claim falsely that she grabbed the fence—Goddard replies, “not even close.” Shevchenko pushes off with a punch and a kick, and the close round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot

Round 4

The women meet the championship rounds, and Fiorot is amped up and ready to continue as she pitches kicks and jabs out. Fiorot lands a side kick, and Shevchenko surges forward with two hooks. Shevchenko times a head kick to spin with a wheel kick that nails the challenger on the chin. Fiorot shakes her head, and she has her nose bleeding early with peppery jabs. Fiorot ducks under one in pursuit of a double, and she succeeds in pushing Shevchenko against the cage but no further. Fiorot settles for a few knees up close and personal, and she transitions to a single that Shevchenko thwarts with a few punches up top. Fiorot zips past her foe with offense, and Shevchenko is calm and a cucumber and counters her. Shevchenko tries a quick takedown, and Fiorot backs her off with a knee to the midsection. Shevchenko knees Fiorot and skirts to the side to let the Frenchwoman go past her again, playing the matador. She drills Fiorot with a stern spinning kick to the ribcage, and all Fiorot can do is reset and try to move forward and clinch. Fiorot scores a knee in the tie-up before pushing her to the wall, where she leans heavily on her adversary and scoring a few more knees. Shevchenko breaks free while dodging a knee up the middle, and she kicks the lead leg of her advancing foe. Fiorot leaps forward and is out of range, and Shevchenko times a sneaky takedown to drag Fiorot to her seat. Fiorot rushes back to her feet and starts kneeing the champ in the side. Fiorot manages to get off an elbow in the clinch, and she pushes out a side kick. Fiorot spins with nothing, and Shevchenko counters her with a right hand that sends her flying to the ground. Shevchenko pounces, ending the round in style with ground-and-pound.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko

Round 5

The fifth round has arrived, and it could be split leading into it. Fiorot acknowledges this and fights behind her jab, while Shevchenko shifts to the side and keeps moving. Fiorot chases her down and knees her once in the belly before tying her up, and she looks for a body lock takedown. Fiorot whiffs with an elbow on the break, and a high kick grazes her chin on the way out. Shevchenko counters her over the top with a left hand, and Fiorot bites down on her mouthpiece and slings leather back her direction. Shevchenko ducks a few punches to change levels, and Fiorot stonewalls her and shoves her back. Shevchenko smacks the front leg with a kick, continuously moving and blasting Fiorot with a spinning back fist. Fiorot is tough as a stale baguette, and she pushes forward into the clinch. Shevchenko breaks away and kicks her in the side. Shevchenko pecks out a jab, and she leaps forward with a Superwoman punch and a level change. Fiorot turns her about and pushes her to the wall, but she cannot keep the champ there. Fiorot fakes a spin, and she is at least a foot away from a head kick. Shevchenko connects with a punch, and Fiorot darts towards her with a short punch salvo before clinching up again. Fiorot knees her in the belly and leans on her, winding up with distance to plant the knees on the thigh. Fiorot sneaks around to grab the back of the champion, who spins around with a right hand as Fiorot tosses a head kick at her. Shevchenko counters a kick with a right hand, and her one-two comes up short. Her second lands, but not before Fiorot scores too. Shevchenko dings the challenger with a spinning back fist, and Fiorot pays her back with a knee and an elbow. Shevchenko knees back, and she aims a head kick at the bell. They go the distance, and the scores could go either way. Both women put their hands in the air after 25 minutes of fairly evenly-matched combat.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shevchenko (48-47 Shevchenko)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (48-47 Fiorot)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (48-47 Fiorot)

The Official Result

Valentina Shevchenko def. Manon Fiorot via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

UFC Welterweight Title Fight:
Belal Muhammad (170) vs. Jack Della Maddalena (170)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Muhammad (-192), Della Maddalena (+160)

Round 1

Sometimes, a champion does not defend their throne against the top contender, but rather the top contender that is available at the time. This welterweight headliner will see Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC; 15-3, 1 NC UFC) put his belt on the line for the first time, and he meets Della Maddalena (17-2, 7-0 UFC) for all the marbles in a prototypical striker vs. grappler matchup at the highest level. Referee Jason Herzog will be the third man in the Octagon for a match that could very well go 25 hard minutes, and he brings them to the center of the cage to issue final instructions and touch gloves. It’s on with the show. Della Maddalena immediately takes to the center of the cage, where he jabs his way forward. Muhammad responds with a body shot, and Della Maddalena jabs him up. Della Maddalena kicks and punches his way forward, beating the champ to the punch. Muhammad responds with his own jab and a high kick that makes Della Maddalena spin around, from momentum and not damage. They flick jabs at one another, with Della Maddalena the more active of the two. Della Maddalena picks and pokes, and Della Maddalena responds with a power right hand. He lands a second, getting the challenger’s attention. The Aussie keeps his guard up to block a trio of punches coming his way, and kicks the champ upside the head and lances him with a left hand. A right hand from Della Maddalena stings Muhammad with a right hand up top, and he gets jabbed back and eats a right hand that follows. Della Maddalena’s leg kick lands a few times here and there when not landing up top, and he chains a low kick into one high. Della Maddalena sneaks in a left hand, and he nails the front leg with another kick. Muhammad lunges and cannot reach his man, but he sells out and shoots for something. He bails on it to drill Della Maddalena with a punch flurry, and his head kick at the end gets in. Muhammad dodges a knee and pushes out his own jab, and he rips a left to the body and kicks the same spot. They crash together, letting loose elbows that hurt the other, and then back off. One missed hook kick from the champ concludes the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena

Round 2

Della Maddalena begins the second stanza aggressively with kicks aimed at all targets, and he pulls back when Muhammad starts to put a jab together. Muhammad rifles off a right hand, and when Della Maddalena ducks, the champ punts him in the head. Della Maddalena’s crooked nose stays crooked as a result, and he reaches out a right hand in response. The toes of the challenger stab into his foe’s midsection, who sits in the pocket and looks for hooks from up close. Della Maddalena drives home a one-two that sends a gob of spit flying from Muhammad’s mouth, and Muhammad takes it flush and does not waver. Instead, Muhammad evades a front kick and lashes out with punches. They take turns attacking one another, until Muhammad breaks up the back-and-forth striking with a takedown shot. Della Maddalena shrugs it off, and he blocks a high kick that he knows is coming. Muhammad loops a few left hands out while trying to wrap them around the jab, and he kicks the challenger in the side that is already showing some welting. Muhammad punches his way into a takedown, and when it fails, he lands a few punches but gets caught on the way out. Muhammad catches Della Maddalena with a left hand when circling away, and he parries a front kick and comes up short by a matter of inches with his hooks. Della Maddalena jabs to the body, and Muhammad whacks him upside the head with a hard right hand. Della Maddalena responds with a combination that busts Muhammad’s nose open, and blood is quick to flow. Muhammad tries a spinning back fist, and Della Maddalena mocks him with one of his own before attempting an earnest wheel kick that brushes past the beard. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena

Round 3

The third round opens up as both men launch punches at one another, with Muhammad landing the better in the early exchange. Della Maddalena bites down on his mouthpiece to let his fists fly, and the third and fourth in a combination knock the champ’s head around. Della Maddalena dodges and sways when Muhammad returns fire, exaggerating his movement as he is feeling himself in there. Della Maddalena jabs the body with his foot, and kicks the lead shoulder. Muhammad responds in kind, and he laughs off a faked takedown effort from the Aussie. Muhammad punches his way forward, but he backs off before landing anything of merit. Instead, it is Della Maddalena who connects, with a right hand. Muhammad walks him down and connects a few times, but his nose gets further bloodied up by the speedy hands of the challenger. Della Maddalena chips at the calf, and he leans back as a right hand buzzes his temple. Della Maddalena jabs a few times, and Muhammad steels himself and launches a big right. Della Maddalena takes it flush and keeps on rolling, jabbing to the head and body as he keeps things mixed up. He rings the champ’s bell with a right hand, who then gives him back a left hook to think about. Muhammad pushes out a knee that bounces off the guard, and he chambers and fires a huge right hand that does not fluster his foe in the least. Muhammad runs forward, ignoring the jabs to let bigger punches go. This succeeds to a degree, until the boxer tags him with a right hand. Della Maddalena then scores a left as he backs away, in his element, strafing and swaying as he glides around. Muhammad walks him down and busts him in the face, and Della Maddalena laughs them off and throws back hammers. Muhammad shoots for a takedown, and he leans against his foe when he does not get it. Della Maddalena defends it and tries for his own, and Muhammad elbows him in the side and back of the head. Muhammad is warned for the strikes as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena

Round 4

Shockingly, the champion might need a finish as they enter the fourth frame, and given Muhammad’s 25% stoppage rate, it might be an uphill battle. Nevertheless, he tries hard right out of the gate, practically sprinting at the challenger and landing heavy punches. Della Maddalena lets him do this and backs away to the wall to rebound off of it, but his jabs are not deterring Muhammad any longer. Muhammad marks up the bridge of Della Maddalena’s nose, swinging with big uppercuts and getting caught on the way in. The champ shoots for a takedown, and he lets it go to unload with a massive combination of uppercuts. Della Maddalena pays him back with his own power shots, spraying the blood from Muhammad’s face all around the cage floor. Muhammad uses his pressure to push on Della Maddalena and try to take him down, and he aims a knee to the dome that is legal while Della Maddalena is leaned over. Della Maddalena succeeds in defending the takedown and spins his man around, and Muhammad breaks and lets loose a short stream of uppercuts. Della Maddalena walks him down, walks through an uppercut and ignores a jab so that he can measure his own shots. Muhammad swings wildly with a right hand and back fist after it, and Maddalena jabs and dodges. Muhammad shoots for a double, and Della Maddalena shuts him down and turns Muhammad to the wire. Muhammad spins him around and looks for a head kick up close, but he cannot keep Della Maddalena on the fence. A left hand from Muhammad blows open Della Maddalena’s cauliflower ear, and Della Maddalena responds with a right hand. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad

Round 5

Muhammad plods forward to commence the final frame, taking a deep breath and jabbing Della Maddalena around the cage. Muhammad rips a kick to the body, and he swings punches that bang into his foe’s forehead. Muhammad keeps heavy pressure, dodging a one-two and coming out swinging with a pair of right hooks. Della Maddalena staggers him with three left hands, and he skips to the side and intercepts Muhammad with a vicious knee that shreds a cut open on the corner of Muhammad’s eye. Rather than think about it, he blasts Della Maddalena with a counter, and he shoots for a takedown and finally lands it. Positioning himself in half guard, Muhammad smothers with his shoulder pressing the Aussie down. The champ hammers down with ground-and-pound, his blood covering Della Maddalena’s chest, which allows him to slip around and explode back to his feet. Della Maddalena’s eye swells up quickly from the damage inflicted, and Muhammad runs at him with his fists flying. Della Maddalena backs him off for a second with a front kick, and they proceed to hack at one another with elbows. Della Maddalena clubs the champion with a left, a right and a few more punches as he has “Remember the Name” rocked. Della Maddalena clinches up for a second before letting loose with body shots, and he tries a takedown and gets thrown to the ground. Muhammad scrambles to push Della Maddalena to his back, where he frantically lashes out with punches and elbows. Della Maddalena protects himself by putting his head between Muhammad’s legs, and he bursts back to his feet. Muhammad leans him against the cage and tries to get him down, but Della Maddalena pushes him away and kicks him in the head. The Aussie drills Muhammad with a punch combo that staggers him badly, but he peels back rather than trying to finish the job. He re-engages, and Muhammad is ready for him throwing hammers. Della Maddalena does the same right to the final bell, and the two welterweights go the distance in a thriller that few expected would turn out this way. There may be a new champion crowned, but either way, Muhammad shed part of his reputation of being boring with that 25-minute banger.

The scores are read, and just like that, the Muhammad era is over before he could defend it once. Australia has a new champion in the form of hard-nosed brawler Della Maddalena, who stepped up to the plate and exceeded all expectations with that performance. The Contender Series has another champion from its ranks, with Della Maddalena pushing his phenomenal win streak to 18 thanks to his likely bonus-winning battle. Because of this result, lightweight king Islam Makhachev is going to move up and be the first to challenge Della Maddalena soon, while Ilia Topuria takes on Charles Oliveira—possibly for an interim title—on International Fight Week. The confident new champion declares that he will "get one back for Volk" against Makhachev. We will be here for those terrific matchups, and we hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena (49-46 Della Maddalena)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena (48-47 Della Maddalena)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Della Maddalena (49-46 Della Maddalena)

The Official Result

Jack Della Maddalena def. Belal Muhammad via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)