Ali Akbar Rosady
Madison Square Garden, a landmark venue synonymous with historic combat sports moments, once again served as the crucible for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s elite on Saturday night. The event saw several pivotal performances, most notably Islam Makhachev’s successful foray into the welterweight division, Valentina Shevchenko’s masterclass title defense, and the emphatic statements made by rising contenders Michael Morales and Carlos Prates. These athletes not only secured significant victories but also reshaped the landscape of their respective weight classes, solidifying their positions or carving out new paths toward championship contention.
Islam Makhachev Proves Welterweight Prowess
Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion and widely recognized as the pound-for-pound king, made a highly anticipated move up to the welterweight division. His performance against Jack Della Maddalena (16-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was a decisive affirmation of his capabilities at 170 pounds. Makhachev, who had previously indicated that his drastic weight cuts to 155 pounds left him operating at an estimated 60 to 70 percent of his full potential, showcased a revitalized and formidable presence in the heavier division.
From the outset, Makhachev’s strategy was clear and effective. He systematically targeted Della Maddalena’s lead leg with powerful kicks, visibly compromising his opponent’s mobility within the first two rounds. Beyond the striking, Makhachev demonstrated his signature grappling prowess, executing takedowns with an efficiency and strength that mirrored, if not surpassed, his performances at lightweight. His control and ground-and-pound were relentless, leading to a TKO victory in the second round. Throughout the fight week, Makhachev appeared notably healthier and better conditioned, a direct benefit, he claimed, of the less severe weight management required for welterweight.
Related News :
- Eubanks vs. Benn 2 video: Jack Catterall sends Ekow Essuman through the ropes for controversial knockout
- NBA Stars Face Pivotal Crossroads as Trade Rumors Swirl Around Morant, Williamson, Young, and Ball
- Urijah Faber Unpacks the Financial Illusion Behind the Global Fight League’s Abrupt Demise
- UFC 323 Set for December Showdown: Dvalishvili-Yan Rematch and Pantoja-Van Flyweight Title Clash Headline Las Vegas Event.
- Norris Seizes Brazilian Sprint Pole as Championship Battle Intensifies at Interlagos
The pre-fight skepticism regarding a fighter’s ability to significantly improve against larger competition was largely dispelled by Makhachev’s showing. The assertion that he might be 40 percent better at 170 pounds, initially met with doubt, now appears to be a plausible assessment. His ability to transfer his elite grappling and striking skills, coupled with enhanced physical resilience, positions him as an immediate and formidable threat in the welterweight division. This victory not only adds a second championship to his decorated career but also signals a likely permanent shift from the lightweight division, where he had already cleared out a significant portion of the top contenders. The welterweight division, already one of the UFC’s most stacked, now faces an even more complex challenge in Makhachev.
Shevchenko’s Strategic Masterclass at Flyweight
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko (27-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC) solidified her legacy as the undisputed women’s flyweight queen with a dominant title defense against former strawweight champion Zhang Weili (25-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC). The bout, which pitted the No. 1 and No. 2 pound-for-pound women against each other, was anticipated by many as a potential classic, akin to the historic Amanda Nunes versus Cris Cyborg superfight of 2018. However, Shevchenko’s tactical brilliance ensured a one-sided affair.
While the inherent size advantage of a natural flyweight over a strawweight moving up was a factor, it was Shevchenko’s strategic acumen that truly dictated the contest. She expertly controlled the distance, preventing Zhang from engaging in the close-quarters striking exchanges where the Chinese champion excels. When standing, Shevchenko remained elusive, allowing Zhang to land double-digit significant strikes in only one of the five rounds.
Shevchenko’s ground game was equally dominant. She secured five takedowns throughout the fight, accumulating an astonishing 13 minutes and 24 seconds of control time. From top position, she systematically neutralized Zhang’s offense and inflicted damage, weakening her resolve. Beyond the grappling, Shevchenko effectively utilized kicks and knees to the body, further diminishing Zhang’s capacity to close the distance and launch meaningful attacks. Her performance was a flawless execution of a game plan designed to negate Zhang’s strengths, leaving no room for the competitive "clash" that fans had hoped for.
The comparison to the Nunes-Cyborg fight is instructive. In that 2018 encounter, Cyborg engaged Nunes in a stand-up brawl, leading to a 51-second knockout. Shevchenko, at 37 years old, demonstrated the experience and intelligence to avoid such a mistake, instead fighting a fight that gave Zhang no opportunity to leverage her power or aggression.
For Zhang Weili, 36, the wise next move appears to be a return to the strawweight division, where she previously held the title and is considered the best in the world. Despite the setback, Zhang’s post-fight declaration, "Zhang Weili is someone who falls and gets back up," underscored her resilience and championship mentality. While she did not commit to a specific weight class immediately after the fight, her long-term success likely lies at 115 pounds, where her physical attributes and skillset are optimized. Shevchenko, meanwhile, continues her reign, proving that even as she approaches the twilight of her career, her strategic prowess remains unmatched.
Michael Morales Emerges as a Welterweight Force
Michael Morales (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), the undefeated Ecuadorian welterweight, delivered a performance at UFC 322 that undeniably elevated his status from promising prospect to a legitimate title threat. Having earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, Morales had compiled a perfect record within the promotion, but his hype had remained somewhat subdued compared to other rising stars. That changed dramatically following his first-round TKO victory over Sean Brady (16-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC).
Brady, an experienced and highly-regarded grappler, was widely considered the "litmus test" for Morales, a bout designed to determine if the 26-year-old was a true contender or merely a pretender. Morales passed this test with resounding success, needing just over three minutes to secure the stoppage. This marked his third consecutive first-round finish, following similarly dominant performances against veteran Neil Magny and Gilbert Burns.
Morales’s physical attributes—standing 6 feet tall with a formidable 79-inch reach—are significant advantages in the division. However, it is his intelligent application of these attributes, coupled with a well-rounded skillset, that makes him so dangerous. Against Brady, a fighter known for his relentless pressure and wrestling, Morales strategically maintained distance, utilizing his reach to pick apart his opponent and prevent any meaningful grappling exchanges. His striking power and precision were on full display, culminating in the TKO.
The timing of this dominant win, just two fights before the welterweight title was contested, amplified its impact. Morales, a "buzzsaw" equally devastating on the ground and in the standup, now presents a unique challenge for the division. With a perfect record and a string of emphatic finishes against high-caliber opponents, he has unequivocally stated his case for a title shot. While the welterweight division is crowded, Morales’s youth, intelligence, and proven finishing ability make him a nightmare matchup for many, with some analysts suggesting that only Islam Makhachev might present a definitive favorite against him. His performance at UFC 322 has ensured that he can no longer be overlooked, and while a title shot may not be next, opponents will certainly be scarce for the undefeated Ecuadorian.
Carlos Prates Reignites Welterweight Momentum
Carlos Prates (18-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) also made a significant statement in the welterweight division, delivering a highlight-reel knockout that instantly propelled him back into contender discussions. Coming off an 11-fight winning streak that was snapped by Ian Machado Garry in April, Prates had already begun his rebound with a knockout victory over Geoff Neal four months prior. However, his performance at UFC 322 against former UFC champion Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) was on an entirely different level.
Prates secured a one-punch, second-round knockout of Edwards, a fighter who, in 29 professional fights, had never before been stopped by strikes. This emphatic finish not only served as a critical win for Prates but also reinvigorated the momentum of his team, The Fighting Nerds. The precision and power of the straight left hand that ended the fight were undeniable, showcasing Prates’s dangerous striking capabilities.
The victory instantly elevated Prates’s standing within the 170-pound division. However, the subsequent performance by Michael Morales, who dispatched Sean Brady (ranked one spot above Edwards in some divisional rankings) with equal ferocity, highlighted the depth and competitiveness of the welterweight landscape. Both Prates and Morales delivered performances that underscored the divisional strength, creating new narratives and potential matchups that promise to keep the welterweight picture compelling. Prates’s ability to dispatch a former champion in such decisive fashion reaffirms his place among the division’s most exciting and dangerous strikers.
UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden proved to be a pivotal event, marking significant shifts and affirmations across several weight classes. From Makhachev’s dominant welterweight debut to Shevchenko’s strategic masterclass and the emphatic rise of Morales and Prates, the night offered a compelling snapshot of the UFC’s evolving competitive landscape.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMANovember 16, 2025UFC 322 Recap: Makhachev Ascends to Welterweight Throne, Shevchenko Defends Dominantly, as New Contenders Emerge at Madison Square Garden.
MMANovember 16, 2025UFC 320: Ankalaev and Pereira Prepare for Highly Anticipated Light Heavyweight Championship Rematch in Las Vegas
MMANovember 16, 2025Islam Makhachev Claims Welterweight Title at UFC 322, Drawing Mixed Reactions to Jack Della Maddalena’s Performance
MMANovember 16, 2025Oklahoma Sooners Deliver Stinging Upset to No. 4 Alabama, Reshaping SEC and Playoff Landscape.
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin