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DraftKings MMA, UFC DFS Lineup Picks - UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena on 05/10/25. MMA DFS analysis to build winning daily fantasy UFC lineups.
The UFC makes a long-awaited return to Montreal this weekend, as UFC 315 takes place at Bell Centre. The event will mark the promotion's eighth visit to Montreal and first since UFC 186 in April 2015. UFC 315 might fall flat at first glance because it doesn't have the star power some prior UFC events had. Belal Muhammad, who many consider to be the most boring UFC champion, is set for his first title defense against surging Jack Della Maddalena. In the co-main event of UFC 315, flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is scheduled for her first title defense of her second reign as champion against Manon Fiorot. There are a lot of lackluster names on the main card, making UFC 315 one of the least anticipated cards of the year.
On the main card, former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo will square off against Aiemann Zahabi in a bantamweight bout, former women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso will fight surging contender Natalia Silva, and Benoit Saint-Denis is set to face Kyle Prepolec in their lightweight contest.
In this article, I will be providing you with my fantasy MMA lineup picks for UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena on 5/10/25. Give me a follow on X @sumpor5. Good luck!
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DraftKings MMA Women's Flyweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Valentina Shevchenko, $7.7K - vs. Manon Fiorot
On Saturday, in the co-main event of UFC 315, flyweight champion Shevchenko is scheduled to defend the flyweight title against Fiorot. This will be Shevchenko's first title defense during this current reign, while Fiorot will look to remain undefeated in the UFC as she tries to become the new champion.
Ready to go all 5 rounds! 💪@BulletValentina vs @ManonFiorot_MMA
[ #UFC315 | SAT LIVE 10pmET on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/Drok1E4a6m
— UFC (@ufc) May 8, 2025
Shevchenko has been in the UFC since December 2015, when the promotion signed her as a short-notice replacement for Germaine de Randamie against Sarah Kaufman. She's gone 2-2 at bantamweight with both of her losses being to former two-time bantamweight champion and arguably the greatest female fighter, Amanda Nunes. Following her loss to Nunes, Shevchenko dropped to flyweight, where she went on a tear, going 9-0 in her next nine fights. Shevchenko then lost her belt to Grasso after Grasso finished her via fourth-round rear-naked choke. After suffering a surprise defeat to Grasso, they went on to fight to a draw in the rematch, before Shevchenko won back her belt in September.
Since signing with the UFC in 2021, Fiorot has looked flawless, winning seven consecutive fights. In her first fight with the promotion, Fiorot defeated Victoria Leonardo via knockout. Some of her notable wins include unanimous decision wins against former title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, and, most recently, Erin Blanchfield. Fiorot is currently on a 12-fight win streak, with her only loss being against Leah McCourt in her first professional fight.
Shevchenko enters this fight with an MMA record of 24-4-1 and 13-3-1 in the UFC. She is averaging 3.16 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 52%. Shevchenko is absorbing 2.00 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 64%. Her grappling is just as strong, averaging just 2.74 takedowns every 15 minutes. Shevchenko has a takedown accuracy of 64% and a takedown defense of 71%.
Fiorot enters this fight with an MMA record of 12-1 and 7-0 in the UFC. She is averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 41%. Fiorot absorbs 3.77 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 68%. In regards to her wrestling, Fiorot is averaging 1.17 takedowns every 15 minutes. She has a takedown accuracy of 42% and a takedown defense of 93%.
Although Fiorot has looked great, I don't understand why she's the betting favorite. It will be in her best interest to keep this fight on the feet, because Shevchenko is a better grappler than Fiorot and, in my opinion, a better all-around fighter. I don't see Fiorot finishing Shevchenko, as Shevchenko is too crafty and experienced. Since she's been in more five-round bouts, Shevchenko will likely have an edge if this fight goes the distance. My prediction is that Shevchenko will win this bout via unanimous decision.
DraftKings MMA Bantamweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Jose Aldo, $9.0K - vs. Aiemann Zahabi
On Saturday, former two-time featherweight champion Aldo is scheduled for a bantamweight clash against Zahabi on the main card of UFC 315. Aldo will look to get back in the win column while Zahabi will look to extend his win streak.
Former two-time featherweight champion Aldo comes into this fight off a split decision loss to Mario Bautista. It was an extremely close and uneventful fight, but I scored the fight for Aldo. Aldo retired after his unanimous decision loss to current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, but his retirement was short-lived as he accepted the bout against Jonathan Martinez. The former champ defeated Martinez via unanimous decision. Aldo's fight against Zahabi could potentially put him closer, or even set the stage for a potential title shot, should he secure a victory.
Since losing two consecutive fights, Zahabi went on a tear, winning five fights in a row. After beating Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat, Zahabi was given his biggest career opportunity. Zahabi has secured six wins via knockout/TKO and two by submission, showcasing a balanced skill set. Since joining the UFC in 2017, Zahabi has gone 6-2 in the promotion overall. He's a solid all-around fighter, but his strength lies in his boxing ability. The Canadian is only a year younger than Aldo, but less experienced, as Aldo has had 29 more fights than him.
Aldo enters this fight with an MMA record of 32-9 and 14-8 in the UFC. He averages 3.62 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 46%. Aldo absorbs 3.72 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 60%. Regarding his grappling, Aldo is averaging 0.49 takedowns every 15 minutes. Aldo has a takedown accuracy of 53% and a takedown defense of 92%.
Zahabi enters this fight with an MMA record of 12-2 and 6-2 in the UFC. He is averaging 4.06 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 46%. Zahbi is absorbing 4.06 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 71%. Regarding his grappling, Zahabi is averaging 0.16 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 14% and a takedown defense of 83%.
Zahabi will have a momentum of five-straight wins on his side and the support of the Montreal crowd. Other than his momentum, Aldo has an advantage everywhere else. The best aspect of Zahabi's game is his boxing, but I'm not sure his boxing is better than Aldo's. His boxing has looked sharp recently, and I can see him picking Zahabi apart. Aldo has vicious leg kicks, but as he gets older, he uses them less and less. That being said, I don't see how Zahabi can beat Aldo. I predict that Aldo will finish Zahabi via a second or third-round TKO.
DraftKings MMA Women's Flyweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Alexa Grasso, $7.4K - vs. Natalia Silva
Former women's flyweight champion Grasso will take on surging Natalia Silva on Saturday's UFC 315 main card. Grasso aims to get back in the win column and get right back in the title picture, and Silva will look to extend her win streak and possibly earn a title shot.
Grasso was last seen in action back in September at UFC 306, where she lost her flyweight title to Shevchenko via unanimous decision. Grasso delivered a massive upset when she seized the title from Shevchenko in March of 2023, when she beat Shevchenko via fourth-round submission. The 31-year-old Grasso has split three previous title fights with a win, a loss, and a draw against Shevchenko. This fight marks Grasso’s first bout against a new opponent since facing Shevchenko thrice in a row. Before her trilogy with Shevchenko, Grasso was on a four-fight winning streak.
Silva signed with the UFC in 2020; however, she did not make her UFC debut until 2022 after injury setbacks. She made her UFC debut against Jasmine Jasudavicius, winning that bout by unanimous decision. Silva has been on a tear for quite some time, winning 12 consecutive fights. Known for her striking and grappling ability, Silva enters this bout with a record of 17-5-1. She was last seen in action back in September at UFC Vegas 97, where she defeated and picked apart former champion Jessica Andrade en route to a unanimous decision win.
Grasso enters this fight with an MMA record of 16-4-1 and 8-4-1 in the UFC. She is averaging 4.19 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 41%. Grasso absorbs 3.69 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 58%. Her grappling is not as strong, averaging just 0.58 takedowns every 15 minutes. Grasso has a takedown accuracy of 40% and a takedown defense of 54%.
Silva comes into this fight with an MMA record of 18-5-1 and 6-0 in the UFC. She is averaging 5.19 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 47%. Silva absorbs 2.35 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 64%. Regarding her wrestling, Silva is averaging just 0.40 takedowns every 15 minutes. Her takedown accuracy is 25%, and more importantly, her takedown defense is 91%.
I favor former champion Grasso in this fight, but this is a pick ‘em for me. Silva has looked outstanding, but Grasso has already proved that you can never count her out. When you think she's losing a fight, she surprises everyone by landing a knockdown blow or a submission. She also has championship experience. I see Grasso winning this fight if the fight stays on the feet. Silva is extremely dangerous, but I don't think she can put Grasso away. My prediction is that Grasso is going to get this done via unanimous decision.
