UFC 315: Lightweight powerhouses collide on Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena fight card

The UFC’s return to Montreal has added some firepower.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a lightweight matchup between Benoit Saint Denis and Joel Alvarez is set for UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Eurosport was first to report the booking.

Saint Denis hopes to bounce back in the win column following back-to-back stoppage losses. After finishing five straight opponents in the 155-pound division, Saint Denis was awarded a huge opportunity to face former interim champ Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 in March 2024, but went on to suffer a knockout loss. “God of War” then headlined UFC Paris this past September, when he was dominated and stopped by Renato Moicano.

Alvarez has won three straight, and seven of eight. Following a TKO loss to Arman Tsarukyan in February 2022, Alvarez picked up finishes of Marc Diakiese, Elves Brener, and then Drakkar Klose at UFC Tampa this past December.

UFC 315 is headlined by a welterweight title fight between champion Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, while Valentina Shevchenko defends her flyweight title against Manon Fiorot in the co-main event.

Damon Martin contributed to this report.