UFC 322 Set for Madison Square Garden Showdown as Della Maddalena Defends Welterweight Crown Against Lightweight King Makhachev

New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden is poised to host UFC 322 on Saturday, November 15, featuring a highly anticipated welterweight championship clash between reigning titleholder Jack Della Maddalena and the formidable Islam Makhachev, who makes his divisional debut. The card, brimming with high-stakes matchups and championship aspirations, will commence with early preliminary bouts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by preliminaries at 8 p.m. ET, culminating in the main card broadcast at 10 p.m. ET.

The main event pits two of the sport’s most dominant forces against each other. Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC), 29, captured the UFC welterweight championship in his last outing, delivering a decisive performance against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 this past May. Della Maddalena’s ascent through the welterweight ranks has been marked by a blend of technical striking, aggressive pressure, and impressive finishing ability. After losing his first two professional fights early in his career back in 2016, the Perth, Australia native has been an unstoppable force, compiling an 18-fight winning streak. His journey to the UFC began with a unanimous decision victory over Ange Loosa in Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, earning him a coveted contract. He made an immediate impact in his UFC debut, securing a TKO victory over Pete Rodriguez at UFC 270 in January 2022.

Della Maddalena’s impressive run includes 12 wins by knockout and two by submission, showcasing his versatility, alongside four decision victories. His explosive performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him significant accolades such as ESPN’s 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and being named UFC.com’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year. He has also been a frequent recipient of post-fight bonuses, collecting four "Performance of the Night" and two "Fight of the Night" honors during his tenure. Currently, he stands at No. 8 in the highly competitive UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his consistent excellence and rapid rise.

Challenging Della Maddalena is Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), 34, a former UFC lightweight champion making a significant move up to the welterweight division. Makhachev enters this contest riding an astounding 15-bout winning streak, a testament to his unparalleled dominance in the lightweight division. His career began in August 2010, where he quickly amassed a 12-0 record before making his UFC debut in May 2015, submitting Leo Kuntz at UFC 187. His only professional loss came later that year, a knockout defeat to Adriano Martins, a setback he has emphatically avenged with his subsequent unbeaten run.

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Makhachev’s record boasts five knockout victories, 13 submissions, and nine decisions, highlighting his elite grappling pedigree, particularly his suffocating Dagestani wrestling, complemented by increasingly sharp striking. As the former UFC lightweight champion, he successfully defended his title four times, establishing himself as one of the most dominant champions in recent memory. His achievements include three "Fight of the Night" and three "Performance of the Night" awards. He holds the record for most UFC lightweight title wins with five and is tied with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for the second-longest win streak in UFC history at 15 consecutive victories. The decision to move up in weight class to challenge for another championship underscores Makhachev’s ambition and belief in his ability to conquer multiple divisions.

Current betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook position Islam Makhachev as the favorite in the main event at -298 (requiring a $298 wager to win $100), reflecting confidence in his grappling prowess and consistent winning form. Jack Della Maddalena, the defending champion, is listed as the underdog at +240, offering a significant return for those backing the upset.

The co-main event promises another thrilling championship encounter, as defending women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (25-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) puts her title on the line against Zhang Weili (25-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC). Shevchenko, a dominant force in the division for years, is the -148 favorite, while the powerful Zhang Weili, a former strawweight champion looking to claim a second divisional title, stands as the +124 underdog. This bout presents a compelling clash of styles, with Shevchenko’s technical striking and diverse skillset against Weili’s explosive power and relentless aggression.

Adding further depth to the main card are several high-stakes matchups. Sean Brady (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), known for his elite grappling and relentless pressure, faces the undefeated Michael Morales (16-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in a welterweight showdown. Brady is favored at -142, while Morales comes in at +120, making it a tightly contested affair between a proven contender and an exciting prospect. Another intriguing welterweight bout features Leon Edwards (21-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) against Carlos Prates (18-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC), with Prates favored at -166 and Edwards at +140. Rounding out the main card, a lightweight clash pits veteran Beniel Dariush (22-6-1 MMA, 16-6-1 UFC) (+160) against the surging Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) (-192), a fight that could have significant implications for the top of the 155-pound division.

For those seeking expert insights into these matchups, SportsLine’s resident MMA analyst, Daniel Vithlani, has released his detailed predictions and betting advice. Vithlani has established himself as a consistently profitable UFC bettor since his debut in January 2023, boasting an impressive 5-0 record for UFC 283. His track record includes an overall profit of over $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks. Notable successes include accurately predicting Sean O’Malley’s (+210) upset victory over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card. He also correctly identified underdog winners Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130) at UFC 299.

Among Vithlani’s specific picks for UFC 322, he is backing Chepe Mariscal (-102) to secure a minor upset victory against Pat Sabatini (-118) in a featherweight preliminary card matchup. "Mariscal is now 5-0 in the UFC and hasn’t lost a fight since 2020," Vithlani explained 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. 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."

Beyond this specific prediction, Vithlani has also identified another fighter whose "constant barrage of strikes and takedowns" he believes will lead to a significant victory on the card. His full slate of picks and comprehensive analysis for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev and all other bouts on the UFC 322 card are available exclusively through SportsLine.

For new users interested in engaging with the event, DraftKings Sportsbook is offering a promotion that includes $300 in bonus bets if a qualifying bet wins, along with three months of NBA League Pass. Additionally, the Underdog Fantasy platform is providing $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the promo code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. FanDuel also has an offer for new users, providing $300 in bonus bets instantly if a $5 bet wins.

UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev Main Card Odds (Subject to Change)

• Jack Della Maddalena (+240) vs. Islam Makhachev (-298) – UFC Welterweight Championship
• Valentina Shevchenko (-148) vs. Zhang Weili (+124) – UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship
• Sean Brady (-142) vs. Michael Morales (+120) – Welterweight Bout
• Leon Edwards (+140) vs. Carlos Prates (-166) – Welterweight Bout
• Beniel Dariush (+160) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-192) – Lightweight Bout

With a stacked fight card featuring two championship bouts and several pivotal matchups, UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden promises an evening of intense mixed martial arts action.

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