Fight fans enjoyed an action-packed evening with Ringside Report’s special show covering WWE Backlash 2025 and UFC 315. Dave Simon, Fred Garcia, and Ben Simon hosted a lively broadcast, breaking down every critical moment from the squared circle and the octagon, while fans weighed in live across platforms like YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, and Kick.
WWE Backlash 2025 Highlights
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— WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025
The night’s WWE action featured memorable bouts, highlighted by John Cena’s controversial win over Randy Orton. The main event was intense and chaotic from start to finish. Initially slow, the action quickly escalated when multiple referee bumps added drama. Dave Simon commented, “I didn’t hate the match; Cena reminding us he’s still the real world champion.” Cena’s controversial low blow and belt strike drew loud reactions from fans, some applauding his cleverness while others criticized the unsportsmanlike tactics.
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— WWE (@WWE) May 11, 2025
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Ben Simon noted, “The match picked up after shenanigans; the ref bumps were over the top but added suspense.” Fred Garcia also chimed in, “Cena winning like that feels classic but leaves a sour taste.”
John Cena vs. Randy Orton Main Event Breakdown
The Cena-Orton match featured escalating drama with multiple ref bumps heightening the stakes. Initially methodical, Orton methodically wore down Cena, showcasing his tactical wrestling prowess. Cena’s resilience kept him alive, absorbing punishment and fighting back valiantly. As chaos ensued with multiple referee interferences, Cena capitalized on a distracted official to deliver a controversial low blow and belt strike, stealing a victory. Fred Garcia captured fan sentiments well, remarking, “It wasn’t pretty, but Cena found a way.” Dave Simon echoed, “Cena reminding everyone he does what it takes to win, controversial or not.”
Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria Impresses
Lyra Valkyria’s successful defense of her Intercontinental title against Becky Lynch stood out as the night’s top match. The back-and-forth action saw Valkyria and Lynch exchange high-impact moves, keeping fans guessing. “They really had a good match,” Ben remarked, appreciating the unpredictable moments and near-falls. Lynch nearly claimed victory several times, only for Valkyria to find resilience each time, finally securing the win with a spectacular finisher.
Gunther Battles Pat McAfee
The showdown between Gunther and Pat McAfee had mixed reactions. Gunther showcased his impressive strength, dominating much of the match. McAfee, while agile and charismatic, struggled with believability as a genuine threat to Gunther. Dave Simon felt the match dragged on, saying, “It could have been shorter; Gunther looked great, but McAfee’s performance was uneven.”
Fred Garcia expressed irritation towards commentator Michael Cole, whose bias towards McAfee was evident. Garcia noted, “Shut up, Michael Cole. Crying for him to stop was too much.” Dave agreed, emphasizing that Cole’s overly dramatic commentary overshadowed Gunther’s dominant performance.
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Dominic Mysterio Retains Intercontinental Championship
Dominic Mysterio retained his title against Penta with help from ringside interference, maintaining his reputation as “Dirty Dom.” The interference from JD McDonuts and Carlito added layers to the match, making Penta’s attempt to reclaim the title significantly harder. Eventually, interference from El Grande Americano sealed Dominic’s victory. Dave Simon humorously remarked, “You gotta love when Dominic wins with help from El Grande Americano.” Fred Garcia supported this result, claiming, “A Dominic win is always good for business.”
UFC 315 Breakdown and Analysis
UFC 315 delivered thrilling bouts live from Montreal, headlined by Jack Della Maddalena defeating Belal Muhammad to claim the Welterweight Championship by unanimous decision.
Jack Della Maddalena Captures Welterweight Gold
Jack Della Maddalena fought through adversity to earn a unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad, capturing the Welterweight title.
Round 1
The first round began with Muhammad setting a cautious pace, utilizing effective footwork. Maddalena landed powerful strikes, impressing the commentators. Fred Garcia remarked, “Maddalena’s striking looks crisp early on.”
Round 2
Muhammad increased pressure in round two, landing combinations that visibly shook Maddalena. Dave Simon observed, “Muhammad is showing champion-level resilience here.”
Round 3
Maddalena turned the momentum back with accurate strikes and excellent takedown defense. Ben Simon noted, “Jack’s defensive wrestling is top-notch; Muhammad can’t get him down.”
Round 4
Both fighters were visibly fatigued after a grueling fourth round. Maddalena landed the cleaner shots, potentially edging the round.
Round 5
Maddalena secured the victory with relentless pressure in the final round, clearly outpointing Muhammad. Simon concluded, “Jack clearly took that final round; he wanted it more.”
Dave Simon summed up the night perfectly, stating, “UFC 315 really delivered with intense fights and impressive performances; Montreal should be proud.” Ben Simon echoed this, “Tonight showcased why MMA continues to thrill fans—unpredictable results and incredible heart shown by every fighter.” Fred Garcia concluded, “It’s nights like these that remind us why we love this sport. UFC 315 set a high standard.”
Valentina Shevchenko Retains Title
Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko narrowly defeated Manon Fiorot, maintaining her dominance. Despite Fiorot’s initial aggression and striking power, Shevchenko’s technical prowess and experience shone through, securing rounds with precision and strategic takedowns.
Zahabi Triumphs Over José Aldo
Montreal’s Aiemann Zahabi scored a significant victory over veteran José Aldo who retired once again after his defeat, winning unanimously. Zahabi demonstrated excellent footwork and precise striking, delighting hometown fans.
Round 1
Zahabi opened the fight cautiously, using sharp jabs and effective footwork to control the range. The seasoned veteran Aldo tried to close the distance with aggressive leg kicks. Dave Simon commented, “Zahabi is looking really comfortable out there, excellent control of distance.”
Round 2
Zahabi increased his aggression in the second round, landing multiple precise combinations. Aldo responded with powerful body shots but struggled with Zahabi’s superior speed. Fred Garcia remarked, “Aldo is tough, but Zahabi’s timing and accuracy are impressive tonight.”
Round 3
The final round saw Zahabi continue his dominance with strategic movement and timely counters. Aldo pressed forward desperately, attempting to score a knockout blow, but Zahabi’s defense held strong. Ben Simon summarized, “Zahabi is fighting smart; he’s avoiding unnecessary risks and scoring effectively.”
Dave Simon concluded the fight coverage with praise: “Big night for Zahabi, truly a defining performance against a legend like Aldo.”
Natália Silva’s Dominant Performance
Natália Silva convincingly defeated former champion Alexa Grasso. Silva dominated all three rounds, showcasing superior striking accuracy and defensive techniques.
Round 1
Silva quickly established her striking range, landing precise jabs and heavy kicks. Grasso struggled to find her rhythm, with Ben Simon noting, “Silva’s striking is pinpoint; she’s completely controlling the pace.”
Round 2
In round two, Silva maintained dominance, utilizing her sharp combinations and strong defensive footwork. Fred Garcia remarked, “Silva is making it look easy; Grasso can’t seem to land anything substantial.”
Round 3
Silva sealed her victory by outclassing Grasso in the final round. She landed multiple powerful combinations and avoided damage effectively. Dave Simon praised Silva’s performance, stating, “No doubt Silva is championship material; a truly flawless performance.”
Benoît Saint Denis Impresses with Submission Win
Benoît Saint Denis submitted Kyle Prepolec via arm-triangle choke in round two.Dave Simon: “Benoît Saint Denis is absolutely dominating here. He’s controlling every position and landing heavy shots. Prepolec just can’t find an answer.”
Fred Garcia: “This is the kind of performance BSD needed. He’s looking sharp, aggressive, and relentless. You can see why he was the favorite.”
Ben Simon: “Prepolec is tough, but BSD is just on another level tonight. He’s making a statement with this performance.”
Dave Simon: “When BSD gets on top, it’s game over. His ground control and pressure are overwhelming. This is impressive.”
Fred Garcia: “I expected BSD to be dominant, but this is a mismatch. Credit to Prepolec for stepping up on short notice, but BSD is in a different league.”
Ben Simon: “You can see why the crowd is so behind BSD tonight. They love his aggressive style and the way he pushes the pace.”
Round 1
Saint Denis dominated from the start, securing an early takedown and maintaining top control. Commentators unanimously agreed it was a 10-8 round.
Round 2
Despite a brief comeback attempt by Prepolec, Saint Denis quickly regained dominance, securing the choke submission at 2:35, impressing all commentators.
Fan Reactions and Insights
Fans engaged actively throughout, praising Canadian fighters’ performances and debating WWE’s booking decisions. Audience member comments often shaped discussions, enhancing the interactive experience that Ringside Report consistently provides.
Key Takeaways from the Evening
- Jack Della Maddalena emerged as the new UFC Welterweight Champion.
- Valentina Shevchenko retained her title against formidable contender Manon Fiorot.
- John Cena controversially defeated Randy Orton at WWE Backlash 2025.
- Benoît Saint Denis and Aiemann Zahabi secured memorable victories.
