On May 10, UFC 315 returned to Montreal, setting the stage for two potential champion vs. champion matchups in the near future.
In the main event, Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight championship. This win has major implications for the lightweight division, as it now clears the way for Islam Makhachev to move up and pursue a second title in the near future.
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot, marking the beginning of her second reign as flyweight champion with another dominant performance.
Fans have long wanted to see Shevchenko face the champion in the weight class below her. That fight now seems likely after Zhang Weili called out Shevchenko. Both champions have worthy contenders in their divisions who could challenge for their titles. Natalia Silva recently earned a significant win over Alexa Grasso in the flyweight division, while Virna Jandiroba solidified her position as the next contender in the 155-pound category by defeating Yan Xiaonan last month.
However, the fight fans are eager to see is the potential super fight between Shevchenko and Zhang. With both fighters at the top of their respective divisions, now may be the ideal time for this bout to take place.
Shevchenko has expressed a desire to give her fans a chance to vote on her next opponent. However, UFC legend Michael Bisping has another idea. Appearing on TNT Sports’ UFC 315 Review Show, Bisping jokingly suggested that he could help set up the fight between the two champions.
“I’ll be in Shanghai later this year, commentating. I’ll swing by Zhang Weili’s house, sit down, have a cup of tea, and get the fight booked,” Bisping said. “We all want to see it. A super fight with Zhang Weili, one of the biggest stars in the sport, come on!”
Shevchenko and Zhang are among the best female fighters in UFC history. Both have been dominant champions, though they each have two losses on their records. Zhang was defeated by Rose Namajunas in back-to-back bouts, while Shevchenko lost two closely contested fights to Amanda Nunes at bantamweight.
A potential matchup between Shevchenko and Zhang would offer both fighters an opportunity to secure a victory over another elite competitor and further cement their legacies as two of the best female fighters of their era.
