Ali Akbar Rosady
Madison Square Garden in New York City is poised to host UFC 322 this Saturday, featuring a highly anticipated welterweight championship bout where newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena defends his title against the formidable Islam Makhachev, who makes his divisional debut. The event promises a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts, with a stacked fight card set to unfold for fight fans globally. The main card proceedings are 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.
The main event pits two fighters with impressive winning streaks against each other. Jack Della Maddalena, 29, captured the UFC welterweight championship in his last outing at UFC 315 in May, where he decisively defeated former contender Belal Muhammad. His opponent, Islam Makhachev, 34, moves up a weight class from lightweight, carrying an extraordinary 15-bout winning streak that has established him as one of the most dominant forces in the sport.
Current betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook position Makhachev as the favorite, listed at -298, meaning a wager of $298 is required to win $100. Della Maddalena enters the Octagon as the underdog, priced at +240. This spread reflects the respect for Makhachev’s proven track record, even as he ventures into a new weight category against a reigning champion.
Main Event: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev – A Clash of Styles and Streaks
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Jack Della Maddalena’s journey to the welterweight summit has been marked by a rapid ascent and a string of electrifying performances. After turning professional in March 2016 and experiencing two early career losses, Della Maddalena has remained undefeated, showcasing significant evolution in his fighting style. His entry into the UFC came via Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over Ange Loosa. He then made a memorable UFC debut at UFC 270 in January 2022, defeating Pete Rodriguez by TKO. His professional record stands at 18 wins and 2 losses, with 12 victories coming by knockout, two by submission, and four by decision, illustrating his well-rounded offensive capabilities.
Della Maddalena’s accolades underscore his impact since joining the UFC. He was named ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and shared Cageside Press’s 2022 Co-Newcomer of the Year honors with Jailton Almeida. UFC.com also recognized him as their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. His dynamic fighting style has earned him four Performance of the Night bonuses and two Fight of the Night awards, demonstrating his commitment to engaging and entertaining bouts. Currently ranked No. 8 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, Della Maddalena’s reign as welterweight champion, though nascent, is built on a foundation of consistent excellence. His striking precision, powerful combinations, and ability to pressure opponents have been key to his success, making him a formidable champion.
Opposing him is Islam Makhachev, a fighter whose dominance at lightweight has drawn comparisons to his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev’s professional career began in August 2010, and he quickly amassed a 12-0 record before joining the UFC. His UFC debut in May 2015 saw him defeat Leo Kuntz by submission at UFC 187. Following a lone professional loss to Adriano Martins later that year, Makhachev embarked on a remarkable 15-bout winning streak, a testament to his exceptional skill and strategic approach. His overall professional record is 27 wins and 1 loss, with five victories by knockout, 13 by submission, and nine by decision.
Makhachev’s tenure as UFC Lightweight Champion was characterized by an iron grip on the division. He successfully defended his title four times, establishing a record for most consecutive UFC title defenses in the lightweight division with four, and most UFC lightweight title wins with five. His decision to move up to the welterweight division is a significant career gamble, seeking to emulate other champions who have achieved multi-divisional success. Makhachev’s fighting style is rooted in his Dagestani wrestling background, featuring suffocating top control and a relentless submission game, complemented by increasingly refined striking. His 15-fight win streak ties him with former welterweight king Kamaru Usman for the second-longest winning streak in UFC history, highlighting the immense challenge Della Maddalena faces. The stylistic clash—Della Maddalena’s sharp striking against Makhachev’s grappling dominance—is expected to be a pivotal factor in the outcome.
Co-Main Event: Shevchenko vs. Weili for Women’s Flyweight Gold
The co-main event promises another championship spectacle, with Valentina Shevchenko defending her women’s flyweight title against Zhang Weili. Shevchenko, a long-reigning champion known for her precision striking and diverse skillset, enters as the -148 favorite. Her opponent, Zhang Weili, a former strawweight champion with explosive power and a high-volume attack, is listed at +124. This bout presents a compelling clash between two of the most dominant female fighters in the UFC, with Weili looking to add a second divisional title to her resume.
Further Main Card Highlights
Beyond the two title fights, UFC 322 features several other compelling matchups that could have significant implications for their respective divisions. In a welterweight clash, Sean Brady (-142) takes on Michael Morales (+120). Brady, known for his relentless grappling and strong jiu-jitsu, will look to continue his ascent against Morales, an undefeated prospect who has shown impressive striking and finishing ability.
Another intriguing bout sees Leon Edwards (+140) face Carlos Prates (-166) in what is expected to be a high-octane encounter. While not the current welterweight champion, this Leon Edwards will aim to make a statement against Prates, a dangerous striker.
The lightweight division will also be showcased as Beneil Dariush (+160) squares off against Benoit Saint-Denis (-192). Dariush, a veteran contender with a well-rounded game and strong submission skills, will attempt to rebound from recent setbacks against Saint-Denis, a rising star known for his aggressive, all-action style and relentless pressure. This fight is crucial for both men’s divisional aspirations.
Expert Betting Insights from Daniel Vithlani
For those seeking expert analysis on the upcoming bouts, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided detailed insights. Vithlani has established a strong reputation among UFC bettors, making his debut in January 2023 with a flawless 5-0 record for UFC 283. Since then, he has consistently delivered profitable picks, accumulating over $1,500 on his UFC main-card selections.
Notable successes include accurately predicting an upset victory for Sean O’Malley (+210) against then-champion Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, as part of a 4-1 main card. His insights at UFC 299 also led to successful underdog picks on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).
Among his specific predictions for UFC 322, Vithlani has endorsed Chepe Mariscal (-102) to secure a minor upset victory over Pat Sabatini (-118) in a featherweight preliminary bout. Vithlani elaborated on his reasoning, 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 strengths, Vithlani added, "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."
For those interested in exploring further predictions and detailed analysis for the entire UFC 322 card, including the main event, Vithlani’s complete breakdown and best bets are available through SportsLine.
UFC 322 is shaping up to be a pivotal event in the UFC calendar, offering a blend of championship drama, high-level competition, and significant divisional implications across multiple weight classes. The main event, in particular, carries the weight of two dominant forces colliding, promising an unforgettable night of mixed martial arts action from the iconic Madison Square Garden.
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