UFC 315 Loses Key Fight Days Before Montreal Event

UFC 315, set for May 10 in Montreal and headlined by title fights featuring Belal Muhammad and Valentina Shevchenko, has suffered a significant setback with the withdrawal of Joel Álvarez from his scheduled lightweight clash against Benoît Saint-Denis. Álvarez's exit, for undisclosed reasons, leaves Saint-Denis without an opponent just days before the event, casting uncertainty over whether a replacement will be found in time. This bout was highly anticipated due to both fighters’ reputations for high finishing rates and action-packed performances, and its cancellation deals a blow to an already criticized main card. The disruption adds to the challenges facing UFC 315, which had faced criticism for a perceived lack of star power, further intensifying scrutiny of the event lineup.