Ali Akbar RosadyNew York City’s Madison Square Garden is poised to host one of the most anticipated mixed martial arts events of the year, UFC 322, on Saturday, featuring a blockbuster welterweight championship clash between newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena and the formidable Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena secured the welterweight title in his last outing, defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May, while Makhachev, making a significant move up in weight class, enters the contest riding an impressive 15-bout winning streak. 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.
The championship bout sees Islam Makhachev positioned as the favorite, with current odds at -298, meaning a wager of $298 is required to win $100. Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning champion, is listed as the underdog at +240, where a $100 bet could yield a $240 profit, according to the latest UFC 322 odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. The co-main event promises another high-stakes encounter, with defending women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko favored at -148 against challenger Zhang Weili, who sits at +124.
The Main Event: A Clash of Styles and Stakes
The headlining act pits two elite fighters with distinct paths and skill sets against each other for the welterweight crown.
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Jack Della Maddalena’s Ascent to the Throne:
Jack Della Maddalena, 29, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill since his professional debut in March 2016. Despite dropping his first two professional fights, he has remained undefeated since, embarking on a dominant run that culminated in his recent championship victory. His journey to the UFC included a unanimous decision win over Ange Loosa in Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, which earned him a contract with the promotion. Della Maddalena made a thunderous UFC debut at UFC 270 in January 2022, securing a TKO victory over Pete Rodriguez. His professional record stands at an impressive 18-2, with 12 victories coming by knockout, two by submission, and four by decision, showcasing his diverse finishing capabilities.
Della Maddalena has garnered significant recognition for his performances, earning accolades such as ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and being named Co-Newcomer of the Year by Cageside Press alongside Jailton Almeida. UFC.com also recognized him as their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. His exciting fighting style has resulted in four Performance of the Night bonuses and two Fight of the Night honors, underscoring his propensity for thrilling bouts. Currently, Della Maddalena holds the No. 8 position in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his rapid rise and consistent excellence. His striking prowess, precision, and power have been key factors in his success, making him a dangerous opponent for any contender.
Islam Makhachev’s Quest for Two-Division Dominance:
Islam Makhachev, 34, a protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov and a product of the formidable Dagestani wrestling tradition, embarks on a new challenge by moving up to the welterweight division. Makhachev turned professional in August 2010 and mirrored Della Maddalena’s early success with a 12-bout winning streak to start his career, including a submission victory over Leo Kuntz in his UFC debut at UFC 187 in May 2015. His sole professional defeat came later that year against Adriano Martins, a setback he has since avenged with an unblemished record. His career tally stands at 27-1, with five wins by knockout, 13 by submission, and nine by decision, highlighting his suffocating grappling and well-rounded skill set.
Makhachev is a former UFC lightweight champion, a title he successfully defended an impressive four times before announcing his move to welterweight. His reign in the lightweight division saw him establish several records, including the most UFC lightweight title wins with five and the most consecutive UFC title defenses at four. His current 15-fight winning streak is tied with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest in UFC history, a remarkable achievement that underscores his sustained dominance. Makhachev has also been recognized for his performances, earning three Fight of the Night and three Performance of the Night bonuses. His fighting style is characterized by elite-level Sambo and wrestling, exceptional ground control, and increasingly dangerous striking, making him a formidable force in any division.
The stylistic clash between Della Maddalena’s sharp, powerful striking and Makhachev’s relentless, suffocating grappling presents a compelling narrative for the main event. Della Maddalena will aim to keep the fight standing and utilize his striking advantages, while Makhachev will undoubtedly seek to close the distance, secure takedowns, and impose his superior ground game. The added dimension of Makhachev moving up a weight class raises questions about his power, speed, and endurance at welterweight, which will be critical factors in determining the outcome.
Co-Main Event and Other Featured Bouts
Beyond the welterweight championship, UFC 322 features a robust main card with several high-stakes matchups.
Women’s Flyweight Championship: Valentina Shevchenko (-148) vs. Zhang Weili (+124)
The co-main event features a pivotal women’s flyweight title fight between two of the sport’s most dominant athletes. Valentina Shevchenko, a long-reigning champion known for her precision striking and grappling acumen, looks to defend her title against Zhang Weili, a former strawweight champion renowned for her explosive power and aggressive style. The odds reflect a tightly contested bout, with Shevchenko holding a slight edge.
Welterweight Contenders: Sean Brady (-142) vs. Michael Morales (+120)
A compelling welterweight clash pits the undefeated Sean Brady against the dangerous Michael Morales. Brady, with his strong grappling background, will test the striking and power of Morales in a fight that could have significant implications for the division’s rankings.
Catchweight Bout: Leon Edwards (+140) vs. Carlos Prates (-166)
Note: This fighter is not the current UFC Welterweight Champion, Leon Edwards.
Another intriguing matchup features Leon Edwards as the underdog against Carlos Prates. Both fighters will be looking to make a statement in what is expected to be a competitive contest.
Lightweight Showdown: Beneil Dariush (+160) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-192)
The lightweight division will see a battle between veteran Beneil Dariush and the surging Benoit Saint-Denis. Saint-Denis, known for his aggressive pressure and finishing ability, is favored against the highly experienced and well-rounded Dariush, promising an exciting and potentially violent affair.
Preliminary Card Highlights: Mariscal vs. Sabatini
The early preliminary card also features matchups that have drawn expert attention. One such fight is the featherweight bout between Chepe Mariscal (-102) and Pat Sabatini (-118). Analysis suggests Mariscal, with a 5-0 record in the UFC and an undefeated streak dating back to 2020, could pull off a minor upset. Mariscal is described as a "scrappy fighter who welcomes a nasty affair," utilizing pace, pressure, and grittiness to wear down opponents. His volume striking and grappling/scrambling ability are seen as key advantages. Sabatini, a highly regarded jiu-jitsu ace with 13 of his 19 professional wins by submission, faces a challenge in Mariscal, who has never been submitted in his 18-6 professional career and boasts a 73% takedown defense rate. If the fight remains standing, Mariscal’s relentless style is predicted to overwhelm Sabatini.
UFC 322 is set to deliver an evening of high-level mixed martial arts, with multiple championship belts on the line and a lineup of competitive matchups that promise excitement from the first preliminary bout to the main event’s final bell.
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