Ali Akbar Rosady
New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden is poised to host UFC 322 this Saturday, an event featuring a high-stakes welterweight championship bout between current titleholder Jack Della Maddalena and former lightweight king Islam Makhachev. The card is stacked with pivotal matchups across multiple divisions, promising a night of elite mixed martial arts action for fans worldwide. As anticipation builds, MMA Fighting will host a live stream watch party, allowing enthusiasts to follow the main card alongside expert analysis from Mike Heck, Jed Meshew, and various special guests, commencing with the featured preliminary bout.
The main event pits Australia’s striking sensation, Jack Della Maddalena, against the formidable Dagestani grappling maestro, Islam Makhachev, in a highly anticipated contest for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Della Maddalena, holding a professional record of 17-2, makes his inaugural title defense after an impressive ascent through the welterweight ranks. Known for his crisp boxing, devastating power, and clinical finishing ability, Della Maddalena has quickly established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers. His recent performances include a string of first-round knockouts and technical finishes, demonstrating his precision and ability to capitalize on openings. Training out of Scrappy MMA & Fitness in Perth, Della Maddalena’s coaching staff has honed a style that combines aggressive pressure with defensive acumen, making him a difficult puzzle to solve for any opponent. His path to the title saw him overcome several seasoned contenders, consistently proving his mettle in high-pressure situations. The challenge against Makhachev, however, represents a significant stylistic test, as he prepares to face an opponent renowned for his elite wrestling and ground control.
Islam Makhachev, with a commanding record of 26-1, steps into the welterweight division seeking to become a two-division UFC champion. Having dominated the lightweight category with an iron fist, Makhachev’s reign included multiple successful defenses, showcasing his unparalleled Dagestani wrestling, suffocating top control, and increasingly effective striking. Under the tutelage of Javier Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) and mentored by the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s game plan is typically predicated on taking opponents down and neutralizing them with relentless pressure and submission threats. His transition to welterweight raises questions about his power and ability to impose his grappling against naturally larger opponents, but his technical proficiency and strength conditioning are expected to mitigate many of these concerns. Makhachev’s last five victories have all been decisive, featuring a mix of submissions and ground-and-pound finishes, underscoring his complete dominance in the lightweight division. The stylistic clash with Della Maddalena, a renowned striker, sets the stage for a classic "striker vs. grappler" encounter, where control of distance and range will be paramount. Odds makers currently list Makhachev as a slight favorite, reflecting his dominant run and elite grappling pedigree, though Della Maddalena’s knockout power provides a constant threat.
In the co-main event, a highly anticipated superfight will unfold as flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko defends her title against former two-time strawweight champion Zhang Weili. This cross-divisional showdown pits two of the sport’s most dominant female athletes against each other. Valentina "Bullet" Shevchenko (24-4) has long been considered one of the most complete martial artists in the UFC, boasting a decorated background in Muay Thai and an incredibly well-rounded MMA skillset. Her precision striking, powerful kicks, and adept grappling have seen her dismantle nearly every opponent in the flyweight division. Shevchenko’s ability to adapt and maintain composure under pressure has been a hallmark of her championship reign, which has included numerous successful defenses. Her technical prowess and defensive solidity will be crucial against Zhang’s aggressive style.
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Zhang "Magnum" Weili (25-3), on the other hand, brings explosive power, relentless aggression, and an evolving grappling game to the octagon. Having reclaimed the strawweight title with a series of spectacular performances, Zhang has showcased her fearsome striking, particularly her ability to overwhelm opponents with volume and knockout power. Her physical strength and athleticism are significant assets, and her willingness to engage in high-paced exchanges has made her a fan favorite. The challenge for Zhang will be to navigate Shevchenko’s calculated approach and find opportunities to land her powerful shots without being countered or controlled. This bout is expected to be a tactical masterpiece, with both champions looking to assert their dominance and potentially elevate their status as pound-for-pound greats.
The main card also features a trio of pivotal matchups that carry significant implications for their respective divisions. In the welterweight division, former champion Leon Edwards (21-4, 1 NC) returns to face the dangerous knockout artist Carlos Prates (19-6). Edwards, known for his technical striking, tactical approach, and strong grappling defense, aims to reassert his position at the top of the division following a competitive title run. Prates, with a remarkable 15 finishes in his 19 wins, has quickly become a fan-favorite due to his aggressive style and undeniable knockout power. This matchup will test Edwards’s ability to neutralize a powerful threat and Prates’s readiness for elite-level competition.
Another intriguing welterweight clash sees undefeated grappling specialist Sean Brady (16-0) take on the promising prospect Michael Morales (16-0). Both fighters enter with perfect professional records, making this a high-stakes encounter where one’s "0" must go. Brady’s strength lies in his relentless wrestling and suffocating jiu-jitsu, often leading to dominant ground control and submission attempts. Morales, conversely, is a dynamic striker with impressive athleticism and a penchant for TKO finishes. This fight will serve as a crucial test of their respective skill sets and will undoubtedly propel the winner into the upper echelons of the welterweight rankings.
Kicking off the main card is a lightweight banger between veteran contender Beneil Dariush (22-6-1) and the surging, high-volume striker Benoit Saint Denis (13-2, 1 NC). Dariush, an elite grappler with dangerous submission skills and improving striking, is looking to bounce back and prove he still belongs in the title picture after a recent setback. Saint Denis, often referred to as "God of War," has rapidly ascended the lightweight rankings with his relentless aggression, high-pace striking, and physical style. A former French special forces operative, Saint Denis brings an unmatched intensity to his fights, making him a formidable challenge for any opponent. This matchup promises an explosive start to the main card, with both fighters known for their finishing instincts.
The UFC 322 action will commence even before the main card, with a featured middleweight preliminary bout between the highly touted prospect Bo Nickal (6-0) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Rodolfo Vieira (9-3). Nickal, a decorated collegiate wrestler, has generated significant hype with his quick finishes and dominant performances, showcasing his elite grappling and growing striking repertoire. Vieira, while primarily known for his world-class jiu-jitsu, has shown improvements in his striking game. This bout represents a significant test for Nickal’s progression and offers Vieira an opportunity to halt the momentum of one of the sport’s most talked-about rising stars.
The UFC 322 main card is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT. Fans looking for an engaging viewing experience can join the MMA Fighting watch party, which will provide live commentary and reactions as the fights unfold, starting with the Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira preliminary bout. With multiple championship implications and compelling stylistic matchups, UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden is set to deliver a memorable night of mixed martial arts.
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