Former UFC Champion Set To Return At UFC 315 In Montreal

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is on her way back to the Octagon. On Tuesday, February 18, Grasso, now the No. 1 contender after losing her title to Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC in September 2024, is set for a high-stakes clash with No. 5 Natália Silva.

Grasso, 31, dethroned Shevchenko in March 2023 at UFC 285, defeating the future Hall of Famer via rear-naked choke in the fourth round. The two women fought to a controversial draw in September 2023.

In the third fight, Shevchenko dominated Grasso to regain her title. It now appears Shevchenko is on a collision course with No. 2 contender Manon Fiorot. That fight hasn’t been signed, but it seems like the most obvious title fight to make, considering Shevchenko has already fought Grasso three times.

Even with a win over Silva, Grasso would likely have more work to do if she hopes to get another shot at the flyweight title—if Shevchenko retains her title after her next fight. If Shevchenko is dethroned, there is a chance Grasso could step right into another title opportunity if she beats Silva.

On the other hand, Silva has the chance to ascend into uncharted territory. The 28-year-old has won 12 fights in a row and that includes all six of her UFC bouts.

In September 2024, Silva defeated former champion Jessica Andrade via unanimous decision in a scrap that won Fight of the Night honors. A victory almost certainly puts her in the top three at 125 pounds and arguably one more win away from securing a title shot.

Quite honestly, if she were to beat Grasso impressively enough, she might have an opportunity to put herself in position to be next in line after Fiorot. There’s also the possibility that current strawweight champion Zhang Weili could move up and challenge for the title.

She’s fresh off a sparkling performance, easily defending her title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in Australia. Depending on when Zhang makes her move, you’d expect she’ll get an immediate shot at the 125-pound title.

Grasso vs. Silva is likely a main card fight at UFC 315, but it’s not going to be the main event, and it will almost certainly not be the co-main event. However, it is the most star-studded fight added to the Montreal pay-per-view so far.

• Alexa Grasso vs. Natália Silva – Women’s Flyweight
• Brad Katona vs. Bekzat Almakhan – Men’s Bantamweight
• Hailey Cowan vs. Nora Cornolle – Women’s Bantamweight
• Marc-André Barriault vs. Bruno Silva – Middleweight

Expect one and perhaps two championship fights to be added to this card over the next 60 days.

What’s Next for the UFC?

UFC Fight Night Seattle has taken its share of significant strikes over the past two weeks, but it’s happening, and the card has some intrigue. Henry Cejudo faces Song Yadong in the main event, while Brendan Allen tries to slow down Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in the co-main event.

Here is a look at the complete card.

UFC Fight Night Seattle – February 22 on ESPN+

• Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
• Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez – Middleweight (185 lbs)
• Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto – Catchweight (140 lbs)
• Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan – Featherweight (145 lbs)
• Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker – Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
• Andre Fili vs. Melquizael Costa – Featherweight (145 lbs)
• Ion Cutelaba vs. Ibo Aslan – Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
• Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Eric McConico – Middleweight (185 lbs)
• Ricky Simón vs. Javid Basharat – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
• Nick Klein vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik – Middleweight (185 lbs)
• Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Austin Vanderford – Welterweight (170 lbs)
• Modestas Bukauskas vs. Raffael Cerqueira – Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)