UFC 315 Odds and Predictions – Can “JDM” Take Muhammad’s Belt in Montreal?

• Belal Muhammad (-180)
• Jack Della Maddalena (+155)

Belal Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC) dominated Leon Edwards to win the welterweight belt in July 2024, stifling his opponent with takedowns and ground-and-pound. “Remember the Name” fights at a relentless pace, and by the time the fight got to the championship rounds, Edwards had no stamina to defend takedowns. Muhammad doesn’t have a pretty style of fighting, but it’s effective.

Della Maddalena (17-2) has won 17 fights in a row after losing his first two. He is largely a striker, but “JDM” does have a couple of submission wins. The key stat here is takedown defense, and Della Maddalena’s is 70%. However, Muhammad won’t be put off by being stopped once. He chains together takedown attempts, and is excellent in the clinch.

“JDM” will have to catch Muhammad early, but the longer this fight goes, the better it is for the champion. I’m taking Belal Muhammad at -200, but keep an eye out for other betting markets, such as Muhammad to win by decision.

• Valentina Shevchenko (+122)
• Manon Fiorot (-142)

It’s a bit of a surprise that the champion, Shevchenko (24-1-1) enters as a slight underdog against Fiorot (12-1), who has won her last 12 fights. The champ is coming off a tough trilogy against Alexa Grasso, although Shevchenko dominated the final fight after a loss and a draw.

Shevchenko is as well-rounded as they come, as she is a world champion Muay Thai artist. But she shut down Grasso with her grappling. Shevchenko has seven submission wins, to eight by knockout, and she has the stamina to go five rounds.

Fiorot is also known as a Muay Thai artist, but she has improved her grappling ability as well. She has six knockout wins, but she’s never submitted anyone. However, is she far enough along in her wrestling to deal with Shevchenko on the mat? Even when it comes to striking, Fiorot throws a lot, but Shevchenko is more accurate.

I can get the champion at plus money, so I’m taking Valentina Shevchenko at +127 and running to the best UFC betting sites!

The iconic Jose Aldo (32-9) has lost two of his last three, although one was to Merab Dvalishvili before he won the bantamweight title. In a loss, Aldo was still impressive as he stuffed all 16 takedown attempts from Dvalishvili, who got to the top by his grappling. The former featherweight king lost by split decision to Mario Bautista in October 2024, but it was a controversial loss.

Zahabi (12-2) was born in Laval, Québec, and fights out of Montreal, so he’ll have the crowd on his side. He has won five in a row, and showed great takedown defense and a strong striking game in a win over Pedro Munhoz in November 2024. Munhoz was more aggressive, but Zahabi picked him apart, and defended all six of Munhoz’s takedown attempts.

It should also be noted that Zahabi’s older brother, Firas, runs TriStar Gym in Montreal. TriStar was where Georges St. Pierre trained, and Firas was his head trainer. While “GSP” is retired, he might have some pointers to pass on to Aiemann.

I love Aldo, and he’ll go down in history as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time in any weight class. But I’m taking Zahabi to make a big step in his career, by doing just enough with his striking to eke out a win in Montreal.

Aldo isn’t the same, although still a good fighter. He’s just not great anymore, so I’m taking the return with Aiemann Zahabi at +178!