Ali Akbar Rosady
Madison Square Garden in New York City is set to host UFC 322 on Saturday, November 15, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s welterweight crown hangs in the balance. Reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena prepares for his first title defense against the formidable Islam Makhachev, who makes a significant jump up in weight class from his dominant lightweight reign. The highly anticipated main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following preliminary bouts that begin at 8 p.m. ET and early preliminaries kicking off at 6 p.m. ET.
The main event features a compelling clash of styles and career trajectories. Jack Della Maddalena, 29, captured the UFC welterweight championship in his most recent outing, defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. Across the octagon, Islam Makhachev, 34, enters this championship contest carrying an impressive 15-bout winning streak, a testament to his sustained dominance in the lightweight division. His decision to move up to welterweight for this title opportunity marks a pivotal moment in his career and for the landscape of both divisions.
According to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, Islam Makhachev is positioned as the favorite at -298 (requiring a $298 wager to win $100), reflecting market confidence in his abilities despite the weight class ascent. Champion Jack Della Maddalena stands as the underdog at +240, meaning a $100 bet on him would yield a $240 profit if he retains his title.
Main Event Focus: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev
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Jack Della Maddalena’s ascent in the UFC has been swift and impactful. Hailing from Australia, Della Maddalena turned professional in March 2016. Despite dropping his initial two professional fights, he has since remained undefeated, showcasing remarkable resilience and continuous improvement. His path to the UFC included a unanimous decision victory over Ange Loosa in Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, which secured his contract. His UFC debut at UFC 270 in January 2022 saw him defeat Pete Rodriguez by TKO, signaling his arrival with authority.
With a professional record of 18 wins and 2 losses, Della Maddalena’s offensive arsenal is highlighted by 12 knockout victories, complemented by two submissions and four decisions. His striking precision and power have earned him significant accolades, including ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and Cageside Press’s 2022 Co-Newcomer of the Year alongside Jailton Almeida. UFC.com also recognized him as their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. Beyond critical acclaim, he has collected four Performance of the Night bonuses and two Fight of the Night honors, underscoring his thrilling fighting style. His consistent high-level performances have propelled him to the No. 8 spot in the highly competitive UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a rare achievement for a newly crowned champion.
Islam Makhachev’s pedigree is equally, if not more, decorated. The Dagestani fighter, who began his professional career in August 2010, initially compiled an impressive 12-0 record before making his UFC debut in May 2015, where he defeated Leo Kuntz via submission at UFC 187. Following his sole professional loss to Adriano Martins later that year, Makhachev embarked on an unparalleled 15-bout winning streak, establishing himself as one of the most dominant forces in mixed martial arts. His career record stands at 27 wins and 1 loss, with 5 victories by knockout, 13 by submission, and 9 by decision, reflecting his incredibly well-rounded skill set dominated by elite grappling.
Makhachev is a former UFC Lightweight Champion, a title he successfully defended four times, cementing his status as one of the division’s all-time greats. His championship reign is notable for the most UFC lightweight title wins (five) and the most consecutive UFC title defenses (four). His 15-fight winning streak ties him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest win streak in UFC history, a testament to his consistent, high-level performance. Makhachev has also been recognized with three Fight of the Night and three Performance of the Night bonuses. His decision to move up in weight class for a title shot presents a new challenge, testing his grappling and striking against a naturally larger, powerful welterweight. The stylistic clash between Della Maddalena’s dynamic striking and Makhachev’s relentless grappling and suffocating pressure is expected to be a key determinant in this championship encounter.
Co-Main Event: Women’s Flyweight Championship
The co-main event features another championship bout, with defending women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko entering as a -148 favorite against challenger Zhang Weili, who is listed at +124. Shevchenko, widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters of all time, will look to continue her dominant reign against the powerful Chinese striker, Zhang Weili, who is known for her aggressive style and knockout power. This matchup promises a high-stakes battle between two of the sport’s most accomplished athletes.
Expert Analysis and Key Undercard Bouts
For those looking for informed betting insights, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has garnered a reputation as a highly analytical and consistent winner in UFC betting circles. Since his debut in January 2023, Vithlani has maintained an impressive track record, including a 5-0 performance at UFC 283 and being up over $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks. His notable calls include predicting the upset victory for Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card, and his UFC 299 winners included underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).
Vithlani has provided a detailed breakdown for the entire UFC 322 card. Among his early preliminary card predictions, he has backed Chepe Mariscal (-102) to secure a small upset victory against Pat Sabbatini (-118) in a featherweight matchup.
Explaining his reasoning, Vithlani stated to SportsLine, "Mariscal is now 5-0 in the UFC and hasn’t lost a fight since 2020. He is a scrappy fighter who welcomes a nasty affair. Mariscal uses his pace, pressure and grittiness to intimidate his opponents and wear on them. His volume-striking attack makes him dangerous, but it’s his ability to grapple and scramble that give him the edge in this matchup. Sabatini is a Ju-Jitsu ace, with 13 of his 19 pro wins coming by submission. He is a savvy grappler who can keep his opponents pinned to the mat. However, I have a hard time seeing him do that to Mariscal, who has never been submitted in his 18-6 pro career. Mariscal has a 73% takedown defense rate and has shown the ability to get up when taken down. If this fight plays out on the feet, Mariscal’s relentlessness will overwhelm Sabatini."
The UFC 322 main card also features several other intriguing matchups with significant divisional implications:
- Sean Brady (-142) vs. Michael Morales (+120): A welterweight clash between two rising contenders. Brady, known for his grappling prowess, faces the undefeated striking talent of Morales.
- Leon Edwards (+140) vs. Carlos Prates (-166): This bout features a different Leon Edwards from the current welterweight champion, facing Carlos Prates in a competitive matchup.
- Beneil Dariush (+160) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-192): A high-stakes lightweight encounter between veteran contender Dariush and the surging French prospect Saint-Denis, promising an aggressive and potentially violent affair.
SportsLine’s Daniel Vithlani has also identified another fighter on the card whose "constant barrage of strikes and takedowns" is predicted to lead to a significant victory. His full betting card and detailed analysis for all bouts are available to subscribers.
As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on Madison Square Garden for UFC 322, where two champions will look to solidify or expand their legacies in what promises to be an evening of high-stakes mixed martial arts action.
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