2025 has been the year of last-minute pullouts! Remember the UFC 311 main event when Arman Tsarukyan pulled out from his main event title bout against Islam Makhachev at the eleventh hour? Or Dan Hooker breaking his hand before his electric UFC 313 co-main event bout with Justin Gaethje. The first five months have been a scheduling nightmare for Dana White.
Now, ahead of UFC 315, he’s dealing with another curveball: Joel Alvarez has pulled out of his bout against Benoit Saint Denis due to injury, just one week before the event. With no replacement in sight, the pressure was on. But if there’s one thing White is known for, it’s finding solutions under pressure. Once again, he’s reached into his deep arsenal and pulled out a new weapon. The only question now is: Is this weapon as sharp as the rest?
Kyle Prepolec to fight on short notice against Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 315
First reported by MMA insider Aaron Bronsteter and later made official by the UFC, #13 ranked fighter Benoit Saint-Denis will be facing Ontario native and returning Kyle Prepolec, who accepted the bout on 5 days’ notice. While this matchup may come as a surprise to fans, the French standout at least has a confirmed opponent. So, who exactly is this Ontario native?
Nicknamed ‘Killshot,’ Kyle Prepolec holds a professional record of 18 wins and 8 losses. The Canadian lightweight is making his return to the UFC after a long hiatus. He was previously released from the promotion following back-to-back losses in 2019. After being cut in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed his comeback.
Prepolec returned to action in November 2021 with a win over Michael Dufort and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak on the regional scene, with victories over Marco Antonio Elpidio, Josh Henry, and Gustavo Wurlitzer. Interestingly, the Canadian was scheduled for a rematch with Dufort in a short-notice bout in Samurai FC. Instead, that fight now stands cancelled and the 155fer is returning to the UFC for a second shot.
The 35-year-old fighter told the UFC, “This is a blessing, and I’m going to make the most of it.” Currently riding a three-fight winning streak, including his first-ever first-round knockout, he’s gaining serious momentum. As he revealed to DAZN, he has signed a four-fight deal with the UFC, finally getting the chance to prove himself once again to the promotion’s brass. With fans growing increasingly curious about the veteran fighter, let’s take a closer look at his journey and what makes him stand out.
Kyle Prepolec’s background and fight stats
“It means the world,” he said when UFC.com asked about stepping out to the cage for UFC 315. “This is somewhere I always wanted to be. I was supremely thrilled I got here in 2019, but it’s even better to persevere and come back after all these years.” A pro since 2008, he holds 10 wins by knockout, 4 by submission, and 7 first-round finishes. At 17, he took his first step into combat sports by joining his high school wrestling team. That decision set the stage for everything that followed, especially after discovering his passion at MTC (Maximum Training Centre).
While giving an interview to the UFC, he said, “I knew after I played hockey and joined boxing in the off-season that fighting was what I wanted to do.” An anime fan who considers Dragon Ball Z’s Goku his hero, he worked in fast food, at Champs Sports, and as a handyman for Prepolec Construction before transitioning into full-time fighting. Today, he also works as a personal trainer while competing professionally.
With fighters like Mateusz Gamrot in the mix for short-notice bouts against Saint-Denis, the UFC’s decision to go with Kyle Prepolec stands out. UFC 315 marks his third appearance inside the Octagon on Canadian soil—a golden chance to redeem himself after years away from the big stage.
Can the Canadian veteran prove he still belongs among the best? Will this be the moment he makes his mark? Share your thoughts in the comments below—do you believe Kyle Prepolec will rise to the occasion?
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