Ali Akbar Rosady
New York City’s Madison Square Garden is set to host a pivotal night of mixed martial arts this Saturday, as UFC 322 features a highly anticipated welterweight championship bout. Reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena will make his first title defense against the formidable Islam Makhachev, who is moving up a weight class in pursuit of a second UFC title. The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following preliminary bouts starting at 8 p.m. ET and early preliminaries kicking off at 6 p.m. ET.
Jack Della Maddalena, 29, enters the octagon as the newly crowned welterweight king, having captured the championship by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. The Australian fighter has experienced a remarkable career resurgence since turning professional in March 2016. Despite early setbacks, losing his first two professional fights, Della Maddalena has remained undefeated since, compiling an impressive 18-2 record. His journey to the UFC included a unanimous decision victory over Ange Loosa in Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, which secured his spot in the promotion. He made a memorable UFC debut in January 2022 at UFC 270, stopping Pete Rodriguez via TKO. Of his 18 professional wins, 12 have come by knockout, two by submission, and four by decision, highlighting his versatile finishing ability.
Della Maddalena’s rapid ascent has garnered significant recognition within the sport. He was named ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and shared the 2022 Co-Newcomer of the Year honor with Jailton Almeida by Cageside Press. UFC.com also recognized him as their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. Beyond critical acclaim, his exciting fighting style has earned him four Performance of the Night bonuses and two Fight of the Night honors during his UFC tenure. He currently holds the No. 8 spot in the highly competitive UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his impact across divisions.
Challenging Della Maddalena is Islam Makhachev, 34, a former UFC lightweight champion making a significant move up to the welterweight division. Makhachev’s professional career began in August 2010, where he quickly amassed a 12-0 record, including a submission victory over Leo Kuntz in his UFC debut at UFC 187 in May 2015. His sole professional loss came later that year against Adriano Martins. Since that defeat, Makhachev has embarked on an extraordinary 15-bout winning streak, establishing himself as one of the most dominant fighters in the sport. His overall record stands at 27-1, with five wins by knockout, 13 by submission, and nine by decision, showcasing his elite grappling and increasingly dangerous striking.
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Makhachev’s lightweight reign saw him successfully defend his title four times, a record that cements his legacy in the division. He holds the most UFC lightweight title wins with five and the most consecutive UFC title defenses in the division. His ongoing 15-fight winning streak places him in an elite category, tying him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest win streak in UFC history. His decision to move up in weight class adds an intriguing dimension to this championship bout, as he aims to join a select group of multi-division UFC champions. Makhachev has also been recognized for his performances, earning three Fight of the Night and three Performance of the Night bonuses.
The betting markets reflect the high stakes and the perceived strengths of the challenger. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Islam Makhachev as the favorite at -298, meaning a bettor would need to risk $298 to win $100. Jack Della Maddalena, despite being the defending champion, enters as the underdog at +240. This line suggests that oddsmakers view Makhachev’s championship pedigree and remarkable winning streak, even in a new weight class, as a significant advantage. For bettors interested in engaging with the event, DraftKings offers new users a promotion of $300 in bonus bets if their initial wager wins, alongside a three-month subscription to NBA League Pass.
Beyond the main event, UFC 322 features a compelling co-main event for the women’s flyweight championship, with defending champion Valentina Shevchenko (-148) facing off against challenger Zhang Weili (+124). Shevchenko has long been considered one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, known for her diverse skill set and clinical precision. Weili, a former strawweight champion, brings formidable power and a relentless pace, setting the stage for a highly competitive title fight.
The main card is further bolstered by several other matchups with significant implications for their respective divisions:
- Sean Brady (-142) vs. Michael Morales (+120) in a welterweight clash. Brady, known for his grappling prowess, looks to maintain his ascent against the undefeated Morales, a rising prospect with knockout power.
- Leon Edwards (+140) vs. Carlos Prates (-166) in a lightweight bout. Edwards, a veteran with a well-rounded game, faces Prates, who is making a name for himself with aggressive striking.
- Beneil Dariush (+160) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-192) in a lightweight contest. This fight pits two of the division’s most exciting and relentless competitors against each other, with significant implications for the lightweight title picture. Dariush, a long-time contender with elite jiu-jitsu, will test Saint-Denis’s aggressive, high-pressure style.
For those seeking expert analysis and betting insights, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided detailed predictions for UFC 322. Vithlani has established a consistent winning record since his SportsLine debut in January 2023, notably finishing 5-0 at UFC 283 and accumulating over $1,500 in profit on his UFC main-card picks. His track record includes accurately predicting upset victories, such as Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, and backing underdogs Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130) at UFC 299.
Vithlani has shared one of his picks for the early preliminary card, backing Chepe Mariscal (-102) to upset Pat Sabbatini (-118) in a featherweight encounter. Mariscal, who holds a 5-0 record in the UFC and has not suffered a loss since 2020, is described by Vithlani as a "scrappy fighter who welcomes a nasty affair." Vithlani highlights Mariscal’s "pace, pressure, and grittiness" as key factors in overwhelming opponents, coupled with his volume-striking and grappling acumen. While Sabbatini is recognized as a formidable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace with 13 of his 19 professional wins coming via submission, Vithlani argues that Mariscal’s 73% takedown defense rate and his ability to quickly regain his feet will neutralize Sabbatini’s ground game. Should the fight remain standing, Mariscal’s "relentlessness will overwhelm Sabatini." Full analysis and additional picks from Vithlani, including his primary prediction for the Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev bout and another fighter he believes will secure a "massive victory" through a "constant barrage of strikes and takedowns," are accessible via SportsLine. Additionally, FanDuel offers new users a promotion to receive $300 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 bet wins.
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