With UFC 315 just days away, Montreal’s return to the Octagon was thrown into chaos when Joel Alvarez withdrew from his anticipated clash with Benoit Saint-Denis due to a hand injury. The lightweight bout was a key matchup for both men, especially for Saint-Denis, who is eager to rebound from consecutive knockout losses to elite competition in 2024. Into this void steps Windsor’s Kyle Prepolec, a veteran Canadian fighter who is seizing a rare second chance on the sport’s biggest stage.
Prepolec, 35, has quietly rebuilt his career since going 0-2 in his first UFC stint back in 2019, racking up a 4-1 record and currently riding a three-fight win streak, all first-round knockouts. He was scheduled for a regional main event just one day before UFC 315, but now finds himself thrust into the spotlight at Montreal’s Bell Centre, facing a dangerous opponent with everything to prove.
Saint-Denis, known as the “God of War,” is a former French Army Special Forces soldier and a relentless finisher with a reputation for grit and aggression. After a stellar run in 2023, including highlight-reel finishes and a top-15 ranking, 2024 has been punishing. Back-to-back TKO losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano have left his momentum in question. UFC 315 was supposed to be his bounce-back moment in front of a partisan crowd, but Alvarez’s withdrawal put that in jeopardy.
The late switch to Prepolec is, on paper, a significant step down in competition for Saint-Denis. Fans and pundits have voiced disappointment, noting that the stakes and intrigue of the original matchup have been diminished. For Saint-Denis, however, this is a must-win scenario, another loss could knock him out of contention and raise questions about his future at lightweight.
Mateusz Gamrot’s Callout and the “Coward” Controversy
Amid the scramble for a replacement, top-15 lightweight Mateusz Gamrot publicly called out Saint-Denis, offering to step in on short notice. According to multiple reports, Saint-Denis declined the matchup. Gamrot, never shy about speaking his mind, took to social media to blast Saint-Denis:
The accusation sparked debate online, with some siding with Gamrot and others noting the logistical and strategic challenges of accepting a high-level opponent on just days’ notice. For Saint-Denis, the optics are not ideal: he’s under pressure to win, and now faces questions about his willingness to take on top contenders.
Kyle Prepolec: The Ultimate Underdog Story
For Prepolec, this is a golden opportunity. A pro since 2008 with a background in wrestling, kickboxing, and Kyokushin karate, Prepolec has fought his way through regional circuits, Bellator, and now back to the UFC. His three-fight win streak, all first-round finishes, suggests a fighter in peak form, even if his activity has been limited to about one fight per year recently.
Prepolec’s first UFC stint was brief and tough-back-to-back losses to Nordine Taleb and Austin Hubbard-but he’s shown resilience and improvement since. He’s a well-rounded athlete with knockout power and a penchant for aggressive starts, making him a dangerous opponent even on short notice. For Canadian MMA fans, his presence on the card is a feel-good story and a reminder of the country’s fighting spirit.
This matchup, while not what was originally planned, could have ripple effects throughout the lightweight division. If Prepolec pulls off the upset, it would shake up the rankings and open the door for fresh matchups. For Saint-Denis, a dominant win could help quiet critics and restore his momentum, but a lackluster performance might embolden other contenders to call him out. With the spotlight firmly on both men, UFC 315’s co-main event has become a proving ground not just for the fighters, but for the matchmaking process itself.
The late switch has drawn criticism from fans, who lament the loss of a high-stakes, ranked matchup. The Gamrot controversy has only added fuel to the fire, turning what might have been a straightforward replacement bout into a flashpoint for debate about matchmaking, risk, and the realities of short-notice fights in the UFC.
Beyond UFC 315, both fighters face pivotal crossroads. Prepolec’s performance could determine whether he secures a long-term UFC contract or returns to regional circuits. Meanwhile, Saint-Denis must prove his resilience or risk being overshadowed by a rapidly evolving lightweight division hungry for new contenders. The stakes have never been higher.
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