UFC 322 Set for Blockbuster Welterweight Title Showdown Between Della Maddalena and Makhachev at Madison Square Garden

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, emanating from the iconic Madison Square Garden, is scheduled to commence with early preliminaries at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET, leading into the main card at 10 p.m. ET.

The main event pits two of the sport’s most dominant forces against each other. Jack Della Maddalena, an Australian striking sensation, secured the UFC welterweight championship in his most recent outing at UFC 315 this past May, where he decisively defeated Belal Muhammad. His opponent, Islam Makhachev, makes a significant move up from the lightweight division, carrying an impressive 15-bout winning streak, tying him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest undefeated run in UFC history.

In the latest odds released by DraftKings Sportsbook, Makhachev enters the contest as the favorite at -298, requiring a wager of $298 to yield a $100 profit. Della Maddalena, the defending champion, is listed as the underdog at +240, meaning a successful $100 bet would return $240. This reflects the challenge Della Maddalena faces against a fighter of Makhachev’s caliber, despite holding the belt.

The co-main event promises another championship spectacle, as reigning women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is set to defend her title against Zhang Weili. Shevchenko is favored at -148, while Weili stands as the underdog at +124. This bout adds another layer of high-stakes action to an already stacked card, featuring two of the most dominant female athletes in their respective divisions.

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Ahead of locking in any UFC 322 picks, sports betting enthusiasts often seek expert analysis. Daniel Vithlani, a respected MMA analyst from SportsLine, has released his predictions and betting advice for the main event and other significant fights on the card. Vithlani has established a reputation for consistent success since his debut in January 2023, boasting a 5-0 record for UFC 283 and accumulating over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card sports betting picks. His analytical approach has led to notable calls, including the upset victory of Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, where he posted a 4-1 main card record. Furthermore, his UFC 299 winners included underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).

For new users looking to engage with the betting markets, several promotions are available. The DraftKings promo code offers new users an opportunity to receive $300 in bonus bets if their initial wager wins, alongside three months of NBA League Pass. Similarly, the Underdog promo code provides $100 in site credits when new users play $5 with the promo code CBSSPORTS2 in select states.

Jack Della Maddalena, 29, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill since his professional debut in March 2016. Despite starting his career with two consecutive losses, he has remained undefeated since, embarking on an impressive winning streak that culminated in his 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 paved his way into the promotion. He made a memorable UFC debut at UFC 270 in January 2022, securing a TKO victory over Pete Rodriguez. With a professional record of 18-2 across 20 fights, Della Maddalena has showcased his potent striking, with 12 wins by knockout, complemented by two submission victories and four decisions.

His rapid ascent in the UFC has not gone unnoticed. Della Maddalena was recognized with ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year award and shared the 2022 Co-Newcomer of the Year honor with Jailton Almeida by Cageside Press. UFC.com also named him their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. Beyond these accolades, his performances have frequently earned him post-fight bonuses, with four Performance of the Night awards and two Fight of the Night honors, underscoring his exciting and impactful fighting style. He currently holds the No. 8 spot in the highly competitive UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his overall skill and dominance across weight classes.

Islam Makhachev, 34, presents a formidable challenge, bringing a decorated career and an extraordinary winning streak to the welterweight division. Since turning professional in August 2010, Makhachev quickly established himself, winning his first 12 bouts, including his UFC debut in May 2015 against Leo Kuntz, which he won by submission at UFC 187. His sole professional defeat came later that year when he was knocked out by Adriano Martins. Since that setback, Makhachev has been on an unparalleled run, accumulating 15 consecutive victories. His career record stands at 27-1, reflecting a well-rounded skill set with five wins by knockout, 13 by submission, and nine by decision, highlighting his grappling prowess and steadily improving striking.

Makhachev’s dominance was particularly evident in the lightweight division, where he was a former UFC lightweight champion. He successfully defended his title an impressive four times, showcasing his ability to maintain elite performance against top contenders. His performances have also earned him recognition through three Fight of the Night awards and three Performance of the Night bonuses. His five UFC lightweight title wins are the most in the division’s history, and his four consecutive title defenses are also a record. His 15-fight win streak ties him with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for the second-longest in UFC history, underscoring the magnitude of his current form as he ventures into a new weight class.

In terms of expert predictions for the undercard, Daniel Vithlani has notably backed Chepe Mariscal (-102) to secure a minor upset victory against Pat Sabbatini (-118) in a featherweight matchup scheduled for the early preliminary card. Vithlani’s rationale centers on Mariscal’s recent form and fighting style. "Mariscal is now 5-0 in the UFC and hasn’t lost a fight since 2020," Vithlani stated to SportsLine. "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 Sabbatini’s renowned grappling, 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." This detailed analysis provides insight into the potential dynamics of this featherweight clash.

Beyond this specific pick, Vithlani has also formulated strong predictions for the main event between Della Maddalena and Makhachev, as well as other significant bouts on the UFC 322 card. He has identified another fighter whose "constant barrage of strikes and takedowns" is expected to lead to a significant victory. These comprehensive picks and analyses are exclusively available through SportsLine.

New users interested in placing bets can also explore opportunities through FanDuel. The latest FanDuel promo code offers new users $300 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 wager wins, providing another avenue for engagement with the UFC 322 betting landscape.

The UFC 322 main fight card, with odds subject to change, is as follows:

  • 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)

These matchups represent a compelling night of mixed martial arts, with championship gold on the line and pivotal contests across multiple divisions, promising high-stakes action for fans and bettors alike.

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