UFC 322: Makhachev and Weili Chase Historic Double-Championship Glory at Madison Square Garden

New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden is set to host a pivotal night of mixed martial arts as UFC 322 unfolds this Saturday, featuring two high-stakes championship bouts with potential double-title implications. MMA Fighting will provide comprehensive live results, fight-by-fight blogs, and in-depth coverage as reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena prepares to defend his title against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev in the main event. In the co-main event, former strawweight champion Zhang Weili aims to etch her name into history by challenging dominant flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

The headlining bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev carries significant weight, with both fighters entering the Octagon on formidable win streaks. Della Maddalena, the current UFC welterweight champion, boasts an impressive 18-fight undefeated record, showcasing a blend of pinpoint striking and robust defensive capabilities. His journey to the welterweight pinnacle has been marked by a series of decisive victories, often ending with devastating knockouts or tactical submissions that have cemented his reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous competitors. His recent title defense against Colby Covington at UFC 320, a unanimous decision victory that highlighted his improved grappling defense and relentless pressure, demonstrated his championship mettle.

On the other side, Islam Makhachev, a former UFC lightweight champion, arrives in New York with a staggering 15 consecutive victories, building on a legacy cultivated under the tutelage of his late coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov and alongside his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) and throughout Dagestan. Makhachev’s wrestling-heavy, Sambo-based style has proven to be a puzzle few can solve in the lightweight division. His championship reign saw him dismantle Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt and successfully defend it against Alexander Volkanovski in a tactical masterclass, demonstrating his elite-level grappling, suffocating top control, and increasingly refined striking. A win over Della Maddalena would see Makhachev join an exclusive club of multi-division UFC champions, a feat that would solidify his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The stylistic clash between Della Maddalena and Makhachev presents a fascinating dynamic. Della Maddalena, known for his crisp boxing, powerful hooks, and excellent head movement, averages 6.7 significant strikes per minute with 55% accuracy, while absorbing only 2.8 significant strikes. His takedown defense stands at an impressive 82%, a crucial statistic against an opponent like Makhachev. Makhachev, conversely, averages 3.7 takedowns per 15 minutes with 60% accuracy, maintaining over 70% control time once on the mat. His striking, while not as voluminous as Della Maddalena’s, is highly efficient, landing 4.5 strikes per minute at 58% accuracy. The fight is anticipated to be a grueling battle of wills, with Della Maddalena seeking to keep the fight standing and utilize his striking advantage, while Makhachev will undoubtedly look to close the distance, secure takedowns, and impose his dominant grappling game. The ability of Della Maddalena to fend off Makhachev’s relentless pressure and takedown attempts will be paramount, as will Makhachev’s capacity to navigate Della Maddalena’s dangerous striking arsenal.

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The co-main event promises another historic moment as Zhang Weili challenges Valentina Shevchenko. Zhang, a former two-time UFC strawweight champion, has electrified the division with her explosive power and aggressive, well-rounded game. Her two epic battles with Joanna Jędrzejczyk and her recent dominant performances against Carla Esparza and Amanda Lemos have showcased her evolution as a fighter. Weili boasts an impressive 5.8 significant strikes landed per minute with 50% accuracy, complemented by a formidable takedown game, averaging 2.5 takedowns per 15 minutes. Her ambition to capture the flyweight title would see her become only the second female fighter to hold titles in two different weight classes, following Amanda Nunes.

Standing in her way is Valentina Shevchenko, the long-reigning and arguably most dominant flyweight champion in UFC history. Known as "Bullet," Shevchenko’s martial arts background spans Muay Thai, boxing, and taekwondo, translating into a remarkably precise and versatile fighting style inside the Octagon. Her reign has included nine successful title defenses, characterized by surgical striking, powerful takedowns, and impenetrable grappling defense. Shevchenko averages 3.4 significant strikes per minute with 53% accuracy, while also landing 2.3 takedowns per 15 minutes at an astounding 90% accuracy. Her defensive metrics are equally impressive, absorbing only 1.8 significant strikes per minute and boasting 85% takedown defense. This bout pits two of the sport’s most technically proficient and physically imposing female athletes against each other, with Weili’s relentless pressure and power striking clashing against Shevchenko’s calculated precision and all-encompassing skill set.

The Main Card, broadcast live on ESPN+ PPV starting at 10 p.m. ET, features several other pivotal matchups designed to shape their respective divisions. In the welterweight division, undefeated prospect Sean Brady (16-0) faces the formidable Michael Morales (15-0) in a clash of rising stars. Brady, known for his suffocating grappling and relentless pace, has stifled opponents with his high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Morales, a dynamic striker with knockout power, has dispatched opponents with impressive finishes. This fight will undoubtedly clarify who is closer to a title shot in the stacked welterweight division.

Another compelling welterweight encounter sees Leon Edwards (not to be confused with the former welterweight champion, but a rising contender with a similar name) square off against Carlos Prates. Edwards, riding a three-fight win streak, aims to continue his ascent against Prates, an aggressive striker making his main card debut after a series of impressive preliminary victories. The lightweight division also delivers a high-stakes bout as veteran contender Beneil Dariush (22-5-1) attempts to halt the momentum of the explosive Benoit Saint Denis (13-1, 1 NC). Dariush, a grappling wizard with improved striking, seeks to rebound from recent setbacks and re-establish himself in the top five. Saint Denis, a former special forces operator, has quickly become a fan favorite for his relentless aggression and powerful finishing ability, making this a potential Fight of the Night candidate.

The action commences earlier with the Prelims, airing on ESPNews and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET. This segment features highly anticipated matchups, including the promising middleweight prospect Bo Nickal (6-0), a decorated collegiate wrestler, facing off against submission specialist Rodolfo Vieira (9-2). Nickal’s rapid rise in the UFC has been fueled by his elite wrestling pedigree, and he faces a stern test in Vieira, a world champion grappler. Also on the prelims, Roman Kopylov meets Gregory Rodrigues in a middleweight slugfest, while rising women’s flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield (13-1) takes on Tracy Cortez (11-2) in a bout with significant divisional implications. Blanchfield, known for her high-volume striking and dominant ground game, looks to extend her win streak against the resilient Cortez. The prelims also feature Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Ethyn Ewing in a featherweight clash.

The night kicks off with the Early Prelims, available on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET. This portion of the card includes Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert in a middleweight contest, Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal in the featherweight division, Angela Hill vs. Fatima Kline in a strawweight bout, Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico in a bantamweight clash, and Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Matheus Camilo in a lightweight matchup. These early fights often provide breakout moments for rising talent and serve as a crucial platform for fighters looking to make their mark in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.

UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden represents a landmark event, not only for the high-caliber matchups but for the historical significance of the two championship main events. The potential for two new double-champions to be crowned underscores the evolving landscape of the UFC and the relentless pursuit of greatness by its elite athletes.