When UFC 315 was first announced, fans in Montreal were ecstatic. After all, it had all the makings of a major event: two title fights, some compelling stars, and the UFC’s rare return to Canada. However, with only a few days until the May 10 showdown at the Bell Centre, it is evident that things are not going as planned for head honcho Dana White. While the UFC usually finds major success in Montreal, this time the seats aren’t filling up, and fans are taking note. In fact, an MMA journalist, Damon Martin, noted that a large portion of the arena still remains unsold. The message was clear: UFC 315 is struggling to generate the excitement that it was intended to. But why?

Well, it’s simple to point fingers at ticket prices. With even the cheapest seats costing hundreds of CAD, many Canadian fans are feeling the squeeze, particularly given the country’s ongoing economic woes. However, the matter is more nuanced than just the cost. The lack of a Canadian star like Georges St-Pierre in the past to rally behind has created a visible hole. Without a local star to root for, Montreal’s devoted fans are less likely to open their wallets. To make matters worse, last-minute changes to the fight card, such as Joel Alvarez‘s replacement by Kyle Prepolec, haven’t exactly wowed the local crowd. Many believe that, while necessary, these substitutions do not deliver the same impact, leading some to wonder if UFC 315 is truly worth their time and money.

Joe Rogan‘s recent comments have not helped the situation either. The UFC’s color commentator, who is no stranger to controversy, announced that he would not be attending UFC 315. Many fans believe that it is because of his issues with the Canadian government. Fans who were already unhappy by the lack of a hometown hero on the roster were fueled even more by Rogan’s absence. His unwillingness to attend has become a point of contention among the frustrated, who believe the UFC’s leadership is out of touch with the sport’s fans. And, with Dana White’s earlier claim that Montreal had “demanded” the UFC’s return suddenly sounding like a false alarm, the cracks in the UFC’s strategy are becoming more apparent.

All of this puts Dana White in a vulnerable situation. Despite the card’s solid lineup, UFC 315 could be a financial disappointment, particularly given how difficult it is to get people interested in a pay-per-view when the stakes are minimal. The head honcho’s optimism about Montreal becoming a cornerstone of UFC history seemed out of line with the reality of the situation. Without the star power that used to ensure sellouts, UFC 315 is quickly becoming a UFC lesson: without a local hero to rally around, even the most stacked cards may fall short. And while one of these fights found a replacement with Kyle Prepolec replacing Joel Alvarez to face Benoit Saint-Denis, this replacement has failed to generate any hype at all.

Fans speak up against Dana White’s shocking replacement for Benoit Saint-Denis

As UFC 315 approaches, the change in opponents for Benoit Saint-Denis has only added fuel to the fire of mounting fan frustration. Dana White’s decision to replace Joel Alvarez with Kyle Prepolec just days before the event has many fans baffled. While it’s understood that injuries can require a last-minute shuffle, the optics of the situation have led fans to believe that the decision was more about saving face for the UFC than providing them with the match they were looking forward to. The fast replacement of Prepolec hasn’t generated the same level of excitement as the original duel did. Instead, it feels like a patch job, and fans aren’t afraid to express their disgust.

The UFC’s attempt to rescue the show by putting a Canadian fighter in the spotlight—albeit at the last minute—has sparked conflicting reactions. Fans were looking for an exciting fight to compensate for the lost bout, but instead they were given a guy who has yet to establish himself in the UFC, to say the least. Kyle Prepolec, who has 18 wins and 8 defeats, is viewed as a last-minute fix who may fall short of expectations. While he is coming off a three-fight winning streak outside the UFC, his previous appearance in the promotion resulted in dismal back-to-back losses. His return could simply be a desperate attempt to capitalize on local support, but the question remains: is it enough to provide the spark UFC 315 so sorely requires?

This situation exposes a wider issue with the UFC’s matchmaking in recent years. Prepolec’s appointment to this high-profile job appears to be motivated only by the desire to fill seats in the Bell Centre. While the idea of a Canadian fighter stepping in sounds intriguing on paper, the implementation has failed to impress fans, who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. It’s a gamble that could backfire if Prepolec fails to deliver. As UFC 315 approaches, the anxiety around this bout only grows, and fans are now questioning if Dana White’s last-minute move will be enough to rescue what has already begun to seem like a letdown event. What do you think? Are you happy with the fight card? Let us know in the comments.