Islam Makhachev Claims Welterweight Championship with Dominant Display at UFC 322

For SportsBreakNews.com, Islam Makhachev, the reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight titleholder, solidified his claim as one of mixed martial arts’ pound-for-pound elite, achieving his ambition of becoming a two-division champion by comprehensively defeating Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322 on Saturday night. The Dagestani phenom delivered a performance marked by relentless pressure and tactical brilliance, leaving no doubt about his superiority across all five rounds.

Makhachev’s quest for a second title, specifically the welterweight strap, culminated in a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Della Maddalena, who was making his first defense of the title. The judges’ scorecards reflected Makhachev’s complete control, all reading 50-45 in favor of the challenger. This historic triumph marks Makhachev as only the 11th fighter in UFC history to capture titles in two different weight classes, and only the second, after B.J. Penn, to hold gold at both welterweight and lightweight.

"This is a dream," Makhachev stated during his post-fight interview, visibly emotional as his long-time coach and mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, draped two championship belts over his shoulders. "All of my work for these two belts. I am really happy. The belt is so heavy and I like it. I worked hard for this moment. My life has changed."

Makhachev further elaborated on his strategy and physical readiness for the welterweight division. "No cut weight, five round non-stop, I can wrestle, I can do whatever I want. This is my plan. It’s not a secret. My opponents all know this and nobody can stop it." His comments underscored his confidence in his physical conditioning and his dominant grappling-centric style, which proved impenetrable for Della Maddalena.

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The atmosphere following the announcement of the decision was starkly different for Della Maddalena. The now-former champion swiftly exited the octagon, bypassing the customary post-fight interview. His dejection was palpable, a direct consequence of a performance where he found himself consistently outmaneuvered and overwhelmed. Della Maddalena, known for his sharp striking and aggressive approach, had no discernible answers for Makhachev’s multi-faceted attack.

The landslide began mere moments into the opening round. Makhachev, known for his precision and timing in initiating grappling exchanges, swiftly secured a leg, transitioning into a trip takedown that deposited Della Maddalena onto the canvas. From that point, Makhachev’s suffocating top control became the defining feature of the fight. He pressed down on Della Maddalena with what appeared to be immense physical weight, akin to a "human brick wall," denying his opponent space to breathe or initiate offensive maneuvers.

Della Maddalena attempted to scramble for position, but each effort was met with an immediate counter from Makhachev. One such scramble allowed Makhachev to briefly take Della Maddalena’s back, a highly advantageous position from which many of his finishes originate. Though Della Maddalena managed to prevent a rear-naked choke, he found himself repeatedly returned to a similar predicament on the ground. As the round progressed, Makhachev consistently advanced his position, threatening with a D’Arce choke submission, a technique he has utilized effectively in previous victories.

The second round offered a brief glimmer of hope for Della Maddalena’s striking prowess. He connected with a stiff, clean punch early in the frame, momentarily catching Makhachev. However, the Lightweight champion’s defensive instincts and ability to adapt were on full display. Makhachev quickly closed the distance, initiating a clinch that once again led to the fight hitting the floor. On the ground, Makhachev maintained his dominant top position, methodically delivering short punches and elbows, effectively trapping Della Maddalena underneath him and further depleting his energy reserves. Della Maddalena eventually managed to scramble free in the dying seconds of the round, but the reprieve was minimal.

Even when the fight briefly remained on the feet in subsequent rounds, Makhachev’s tactical approach continued to inflict damage. He systematically targeted Della Maddalena’s lead leg with a series of powerful calf kicks, a technique designed to compromise mobility and balance. Despite the accumulating damage, Della Maddalena demonstrated resilience, and when he finally found an opening, he unleashed a multi-punch combination aimed at Makhachev’s head and body. Yet, this offensive burst was immediately negated. Within a split second, Makhachev initiated and completed a double-leg takedown, once again returning Della Maddalena to his back with minimal prospects of escape. From the bottom, Della Maddalena was largely relegated to a defensive posture, a clear indication that the welterweight championship was steadily slipping from his grasp.

The pattern of the fight became a relentless "rinse and repeat" for Makhachev. He continued to secure takedowns at will, consistently punishing Della Maddalena’s lead leg with calf kicks whenever the fighters were standing. Another scramble in the later rounds saw Makhachev transition to Della Maddalena’s back, again searching for a submission. While the Australian fighter bravely defended and managed to avoid a finish, the continuous pressure and control were visibly demoralizing.

The fifth and final round began, predictably, with another Makhachev takedown. He maintained his suffocating control throughout the championship round, further cementing his dominance. Makhachev explored another submission attempt but ultimately opted to maintain top control until the final horn sounded, ensuring a clear and decisive victory on the scorecards.

Makhachev’s triumph extends his remarkable professional record to 27-1, pushing his win streak to 14 consecutive fights. His elevation to two-division champion status places him among the elite of the sport, alongside legends like Randy Couture, Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo, and Jon Jones, in addition to B.J. Penn.

The welterweight division now faces a new era under Makhachev’s reign. A long line of formidable contenders awaits, especially following impressive performances from other fighters on the UFC 322 card. Michael Morales, who secured a dominant victory, and Carlos Prates, who also delivered an emphatic win, have positioned themselves as rising threats. The division also features established veterans and undefeated prospects such as former champion Kamaru Usman, whose legacy demands consideration for a potential title shot. The undefeated wrecking machine Shavkat Rakhmonov, known for his flawless record and finishing prowess, remains a significant challenge. Furthermore, the winner of the highly anticipated bout between Ian Machado Garry and Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar will undoubtedly emerge as a top contender, offering Makhachev a plethora of options for his first title defense.

As for where Makhachev envisions his inaugural welterweight title defense, he concluded his post-fight remarks with an unconventional call-out. "Donald Trump, let’s go," Makhachev shouted. "Open the White House, I am coming." The statement, likely made in jest and referencing his aspirations for global recognition, added a unique flourish to an already historic night for the Dagestani champion.