Upon first glance, UFC 315 might fall flat. A women’s co-main event and lackluster names on the main card make it one of the least anticipated cards of the year. Add in Belal Muhammad, who many consider to be the most boring UFC champion, and UFC 315 may seem just straight-up skippable to the casual fan.
However, UFC 315 could be one of the most important cards in the history of the UFC, due to its potential effect on future events.
The UFC lightweight division is in disarray, and Dana White has still yet to announce a main event for International Fight Week, the supposed biggest card of the year.
UFC 315’s main event between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddelena could give the fans the answers they desire.
International Fight Week still lacks a main event, with many speculating it could be a lightweight title fight.
The question is, between whom?
Ilia Topuria has confirmed he’ll headline UFC 317 (International Fight Week), however, Dana White has made no such confirmation. In theory, Topuria would be fighting for the lightweight title after his recent move up to 155, but his opponent is still unclear.
It seems that, for whatever reason, the promotion is waiting until after UFC 315 to announce who Topuria will face.
If Belal Muhammad retains his title, Islam Makhachev has all but confirmed he would stay at lightweight instead of moving up to welterweight and fighting Muhammad. This is because they’ve trained together and reportedly have a friendship. Some fans suggest Makhachev could be open to the bout, but his coach MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is aversed and has shut the idea down.
Whatever the case may be, Makhachev won’t become double champ while Muhammed is the 170 champion.
If Muhammad wins, Makhachev would be forced to defend his lightweight title, likely against former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. This fight has been hyped up for months and would be perfect for UFC 317, the biggest card of the year.
In summary, if Belal Muhammad defeats Jack Della Maddelena at UFC 315 expect Makhachev vs. Topuria at UFC 317.
Muhammad would likely defend next in the winter against one of the top contenders, such as Shavkat Rakhmanov, Sean Brady, or Joquain Buckley.
If JDM won the welterweight title, there would be a pretty big fallout in the MMA world. Firstly, it seems that Islam Makhachev would immediately vacate the lightweight title in hopes of becoming a double champ, one of the rarest feats in all of MMA.
Makhachev has stated that the only thing left for him to accomplish in the UFC is becoming a two-division champion, and Dana White would likely be inclined to grant him the opportunity. Makhachev vs. Della Maddelena would likely take place sometime this fall.
That begs the question: what happens at UFC 317?
Enter the #1 contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan has said that if JDM wins, he expects to fight for the vacant lightweight title against Topuria. With Makhachev leaving the division, it makes sense that Topuria and Tsarukyan would be the top contenders to fight for the belt. This would also be an adequate main event for IFW, and would likely draw many eyes to the spectacle.
Bonus fight: If he loses the belt, Belal Muhammad has teased a move to middleweight, specifically against top middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev.
Overall, the future of the UFC still holds many unknowns, and depending on how UFC 315 shakes out, an answer to many fans’ questions could come.
Boring on paper, crucial in practice — UFC 315 might just shape the future of two divisions.
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