Ali Akbar RosadyThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prepares for a monumental night of mixed martial arts action this Saturday, as the welterweight championship takes center stage at UFC 322. Reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena is set to defend his recently acquired title against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev in a highly anticipated clash at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following the early preliminaries at 6 p.m. ET and the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET.
Della Maddalena, 29, secured the welterweight strap in his last outing, defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. This victory marked the pinnacle of a remarkable ascent for the Australian striker, who has shown formidable knockout power and precision throughout his UFC tenure. Across the octagon, Makhachev, 34, makes the significant move up in weight class, bringing with him an astonishing 15-bout winning streak that places him among the most dominant fighters in recent UFC history. The Dagestani phenom, renowned for his grappling prowess and relentless pressure, seeks to become a two-division champion, an accomplishment that would further cement his legacy in the sport.
As fight night approaches, the betting lines reflect the perceived challenge for Della Maddalena. According to the latest UFC 322 odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, Islam Makhachev enters the bout as the considerable favorite at -298 (requiring a $298 wager to win $100). Jack Della Maddalena, conversely, is positioned as the underdog at +240, indicating a potential return of $240 on a $100 bet should he successfully defend his title. The co-main event also features a championship contest, with defending champion Valentina Shevchenko listed as a -148 favorite against Zhang Weili (+124) in a women’s flyweight championship bout.
For those seeking informed perspectives on the night’s contests, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided comprehensive MMA predictions and betting advice. Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor, has maintained a consistent winning record for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, notably achieving a 5-0 record for UFC 283. His track record includes an impressive profit exceeding $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks. Among his notable successful predictions were the upset call for Sean O’Malley (+210) against then-champion Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card performance. Additionally, Vithlani accurately identified underdog winners at UFC 299, backing Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).
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Jack Della Maddalena’s journey to the welterweight championship has been marked by resilience and a sharp progression of skill. After turning professional in March 2016, he experienced early setbacks, losing his first two fights. However, he has remained undefeated since, demonstrating an extraordinary ability to learn and adapt. His entry into the UFC was secured through Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Ange Loosa. His UFC debut at UFC 270 in January 2022 saw him deliver a TKO victory over Pete Rodriguez, signaling his arrival as a force in the division. Della Maddalena’s professional record stands at 18-2, with 12 wins by knockout, two by submission, and four by decision, highlighting his versatile finishing capabilities. His striking, characterized by precise combinations and powerful hooks, has earned him significant accolades, including ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year, Cageside Press’s 2022 Co-Newcomer of the Year (shared with Jailton Almeida), and UFC.com’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year. He has also been recognized for his exciting performances, garnering four Performance of the Night bonuses and two Fight of the Night honors. Della Maddalena currently holds the No. 8 spot in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his rapid ascent and elite status in the sport.
Islam Makhachev’s career narrative is one of sustained dominance. The 34-year-old commenced his professional career in August 2010, rapidly accumulating 12 consecutive victories, including his UFC debut in May 2015 against Leo Kuntz via submission. His sole professional defeat came later that year, a knockout loss to Adriano Martins. Since then, Makhachev has embarked on an unparalleled run, amassing 15 consecutive victories, a streak that ties him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest in UFC history. His overall professional record stands at an impressive 27-1, comprising five knockout victories, 13 submissions, and nine decisions. Makhachev’s fighting style is deeply rooted in Sambo, a Russian martial art, providing him with an elite grappling foundation. This has translated into a suffocating top game, powerful takedowns, and a diverse array of submission techniques that have consistently overwhelmed opponents. He is a former UFC lightweight champion, successfully defending his title four times against top contenders. His five UFC lightweight title wins and four consecutive title defenses represent records within the division, underscoring his reign as one of the most dominant lightweight champions in UFC history. The decision to move up to the welterweight division comes after a period of clearing out the lightweight division, with Makhachev seeking new challenges and the opportunity to add a second divisional title to his resume. This move presents a unique stylistic challenge, pitting his elite grappling against Della Maddalena’s precision striking and power within a new weight class dynamic.
The main card for UFC 322 also features several other compelling matchups. In addition to the Shevchenko-Weili co-main event, Sean Brady (-142) is slated to face Michael Morales (+120) in a welterweight contest. Leon Edwards (+140) takes on Carlos Prates (-166) in another intriguing matchup, while Beniel Dariush (+160) clashes with Benoit Saint-Denis (-192) in a lightweight bout.
For those delving into the preliminary card, Daniel Vithlani has identified a potential upset in the featherweight division, backing Chepe Mariscal (-102) to defeat Pat Sabbatini (-118). Vithlani elaborates on his prediction, stating, "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." Addressing Sabatini’s formidable Jiu-Jitsu background, with 13 of his 19 professional wins coming by submission, Vithlani notes, "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."
Further analysis and detailed predictions for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev and all other bouts on the UFC 322 card, including a favored fighter whose "constant barrage of strikes and takedowns" is predicted to lead to a significant victory, are available from Daniel Vithlani at SportsLine.
The full main fight card and associated odds for UFC 322 are as follows (odds subject to change):
- Jack Della Maddalena (+240) vs. Islam Makhachev (-298)
- Valentina Shevchenko (-148) vs. Zhang Weili (+124)
- Sean Brady (-142) vs. Michael Morales (+120)
- Leon Edwards (+140) vs. Carlos Prates (-166)
- Beniel Dariush (+160) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-192)
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