Ali Akbar Rosady
New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden is set to host a pivotal night of mixed martial arts as UFC 322 features a highly anticipated welterweight championship bout between current titleholder Jack Della Maddalena and former lightweight king Islam Makhachev. The event, scheduled for Saturday, will see Della Maddalena making his first defense after capturing the championship at UFC 315 in May, while Makhachev steps up a weight class carrying an extraordinary 15-bout winning streak. The main card is slated to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following early preliminaries at 6 p.m. ET and preliminary bouts at 8 p.m. ET.
The championship clash presents a compelling narrative: a reigning champion known for his striking prowess against a dominant grappler making a bid for two-division glory. Jack Della Maddalena, a 29-year-old Australian, seized the welterweight strap by defeating veteran contender Belal Muhammad in a performance that underscored his rapid ascent in the division. His victory over Muhammad was not just a title win but a statement, solidifying his position at the top of a stacked weight class. Della Maddalena’s professional record stands at an impressive 18 wins against just two losses. His journey to the summit has been characterized by a remarkable turnaround, having lost his initial two professional bouts in March 2016 before embarking on an undefeated streak that continues to this day.
Della Maddalena’s path to the UFC was cemented with a unanimous decision victory over Ange Loosa in Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021. Upon entering the UFC, he wasted no time making an impact, securing a TKO victory over Pete Rodriguez in his debut at UFC 270 in January 2022. Of his 18 professional victories, 12 have come by knockout, showcasing his formidable striking power, complemented by two submission wins and four decisions, demonstrating a well-rounded skillset. His aggressive, precise striking style and ability to finish fights have earned him significant accolades, including ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and co-Newcomer of the Year by Cageside Press, alongside Jailton Almeida. UFC.com also recognized him as their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. Furthermore, Della Maddalena has been a consistent recipient of performance bonuses, earning four Performance of the Night awards and two Fight of the Night honors, underscoring his penchant for exciting matchups. He currently holds the No. 8 spot in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his rising stature in the sport.
Challenging Della Maddalena is the formidable Islam Makhachev, a 34-year-old Dagestani phenom renowned for his suffocating grappling and relentless pressure. Makhachev enters this welterweight contest having never tasted defeat in 15 consecutive bouts, a streak that ties him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest in UFC history. His overall professional record is an astounding 27 wins and just one loss. Makhachev began his professional career in August 2010, winning his first 12 fights, including his UFC debut in May 2015 with a submission victory over Leo Kuntz at UFC 187. His only career setback occurred later that year, a knockout loss to Adriano Martins, after which he commenced his current unparalleled winning streak.
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Makhachev’s reign as UFC lightweight champion was dominant, featuring four successful title defenses before his decision to move up to the welterweight division. His fighting style, heavily influenced by Sambo and wrestling, has made him one of the most difficult opponents in the sport, with 13 of his victories coming by submission, five by knockout, and nine by decision. He holds the record for the most UFC lightweight title wins with five and the most consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses with four, cementing his legacy as one of the division’s all-time greats. His move to welterweight represents a significant challenge and an opportunity to further etch his name in UFC history by potentially becoming a two-division champion, a feat achieved by only a select few. Makhachev has also been recognized for his captivating performances, earning three Fight of the Night and three Performance of the Night bonuses throughout his career.
As fight night approaches, the betting landscape reflects Makhachev’s perceived dominance, even in a new weight class. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Islam Makhachev as the favorite at -298, meaning a bettor would need to risk $298 to win $100. Conversely, Jack Della Maddalena enters as the underdog at +240.
The co-main event promises another championship spectacle, featuring a women’s flyweight title bout between defending champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Zhang Weili. Shevchenko, a long-reigning queen of the division, is the favorite at -148, while Weili, known for her explosive power, is the underdog at +124.
For those engaging with sports betting, expert analysis often plays a crucial role in navigating the odds. SportsLine’s MMA analyst Daniel Vithlani has garnered a reputation for consistent success, boasting a profit of over $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks since his debut in January 2023 with a flawless 5-0 record for UFC 283. Vithlani’s track record includes accurately predicting upset victories, such as Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card. His successful picks at UFC 299 included underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).
Among Vithlani’s specific predictions for UFC 322, he has identified a potential upset in the featherweight matchup between Chepe Mariscal (-102) and Pat Sabbatini (-118) on the early preliminary card. Vithlani states, "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." He further elaborated on the stylistic clash, noting, "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."
Beyond the main and co-main events, the UFC 322 main card features several other compelling matchups: Sean Brady (-142) is favored against Michael Morales (+120) in a welterweight contest. In another intriguing bout, Leon Edwards (+140) faces Carlos Prates (-166). The card also includes a lightweight showdown between Beniel Dariush (+160) and Benoit Saint-Denis (-192).
For new users interested in sports betting, platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel are offering promotional incentives. DraftKings is providing $300 in bonus bets if a user’s initial bet wins, alongside three months of NBA League Pass. Similarly, FanDuel offers $300 in bonus bets instantly if a $5 bet wins. Additionally, Underdog Fantasy has a promotion for $100 in site credits when playing $5 with a specific promo code in select states. These offers aim to attract new participants to the growing sports betting market surrounding major events like UFC 322.
The stage is set for a night of high-stakes action at Madison Square Garden, where the welterweight division’s future could be significantly reshaped. Della Maddalena’s striking against Makhachev’s grappling presents a classic stylistic clash, with the outcome holding major implications for both fighters’ legacies and the landscape of the UFC’s welterweight and potentially lightweight divisions.
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