UFC 322: Welterweight Gold on the Line as Champion Della Maddalena Faces Undefeated Challenger Makhachev in New York

Madison Square Garden in New York City is poised to host UFC 322 on Saturday, November 15, an event headlined by the highly anticipated UFC Welterweight Championship bout between reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena and the formidable Islam Makhachev. Della Maddalena, an emerging force in the welterweight division, secured his championship at UFC 315 in May, triumphing over veteran contender Belal Muhammad. His challenger, Makhachev, a former lightweight kingpin known for his dominant grappling, makes the significant move up a weight class carrying an impressive 15-bout winning streak, one of the longest in UFC history. The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following early preliminary fights getting underway at 6 p.m. ET and preliminary bouts at 8 p.m. ET, promising a full evening of high-stakes mixed martial arts action from one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

Jack Della Maddalena, the 29-year-old Australian champion, has charted a remarkable trajectory since his professional mixed martial arts debut in March 2016. After encountering initial setbacks with losses in his first two professional outings, Della Maddalena has undergone a profound transformation, remaining undefeated in every subsequent fight. His relentless drive and refined skill set became evident on Dana White’s Contender Series 39 in September 2021, where he earned a decisive unanimous decision victory against Ange Loosa, securing his contract with the UFC. His promotional debut at UFC 270 in January 2022 saw him deliver a dominant first-round TKO over Pete Rodriguez, signaling his arrival as a potent threat. Over 20 professional fights, Della Maddalena boasts an impressive record of 18 wins and 2 losses. His offensive capabilities are highlighted by 12 victories coming via knockout, complemented by two submissions and four decisions, underscoring his diverse finishing abilities and particularly his sharp, powerful striking. The championship win against Belal Muhammad, a seasoned and highly-ranked contender, solidified his position at the pinnacle of the welterweight division and marked a significant milestone in his career.

Della Maddalena’s meteoric rise within the UFC has been accompanied by substantial recognition and numerous performance bonuses. ESPN honored him as the 2022 UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year, an accolade shared with Jailton Almeida as Co-Newcomer of the Year by Cageside Press. UFC.com also independently recognized him as their 2022 Newcomer of the Year, reflecting his immediate impact on the promotion. His commitment to engaging, high-octane fights has resulted in four "Performance of the Night" bonuses and two "Fight of the Night" awards, affirming his status as an exciting and fan-favorite competitor. Currently, Della Maddalena is ranked No. 8 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his exceptional skill and potential across the sport’s landscape. His ability to blend precision striking with an aggressive, forward-moving style presents a significant challenge for any opponent.

Islam Makhachev, the 34-year-old Dagestani grappling maestro, enters this welterweight championship bout with a career predominantly defined by his unparalleled dominance in the lightweight division. Makhachev began his professional journey in August 2010, embarking on an initial 12-fight winning streak that extended into his UFC debut in May 2015, where he secured a submission victory over Leo Kuntz at UFC 187, showcasing his renowned Sambo background. His sole professional setback occurred later that year, a knockout loss to Adriano Martins. Since that defeat, Makhachev has compiled an extraordinary 15-bout winning streak, a testament to his consistent evolution and tactical brilliance. This streak ties him with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for the second-longest active win streak in UFC history, highlighting his sustained excellence. His overall professional record stands at an outstanding 27 wins and 1 loss, with five victories by knockout, 13 by submission – a clear indicator of his elite ground game – and nine by decision.

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Makhachev’s reign as UFC Lightweight Champion was characterized by an ironclad grip on the division and a series of dominant title defenses. He successfully defended his lightweight title on four occasions, a feat that includes overcoming some of the sport’s most dangerous contenders. This impressive run established him as one of the most dominant champions in the division’s history and secured him the record for the most consecutive UFC lightweight title defenses. His consistent, high-level performances have also been recognized with three "Fight of the Night" bonuses and three "Performance of the Night" awards. The strategic decision to move up to the welterweight division for this championship challenge against Della Maddalena underscores Makhachev’s ambition to emulate the few multi-division champions in UFC history. His formidable grappling, relentless pressure, and exceptional control have proven to be an almost insurmountable puzzle for nearly every opponent he has encountered, making his welterweight debut at this championship level a compelling narrative.

Current betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook position Islam Makhachev as the favorite in the main event, listed at -305 (requiring a $305 wager to yield $100 in profit). Jack Della Maddalena, the defending champion, is the underdog at +245 (a $100 wager could return $245 in profit). This disparity in odds reflects Makhachev’s proven track record of dominance, particularly his grappling-centric style, and his perceived technical advantages, even when moving up a weight class. In the co-main event, another championship contest features Valentina Shevchenko, the defending women’s flyweight champion, as a -135 favorite against Zhang Weili, who is priced at +115. This bout holds significant implications for Shevchenko’s legacy as she aims to further cement her status as one of the greatest female fighters, while Weili seeks to add another division’s gold to her collection.

For those engaging with the betting markets for UFC 322, expert analysis provides valuable context. Daniel Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor affiliated with SportsLine, has provided his predictions and betting advice for the entire card. Vithlani has established a consistent winning record for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, commencing with an impressive 5-0 record at UFC 283. His track record includes an overall profit exceeding $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks. Notable successes include accurately predicting an upset victory for Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a strong 4-1 main card performance. Furthermore, his UFC 299 selections included successful underdog picks on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130), showcasing his ability to identify value in challenging matchups.

Vithlani has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the entire UFC 322 card, including the Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev main event, to identify his top betting picks and best bets. While his specific main event insights are exclusive to SportsLine, he has publicly backed Chepe Mariscal (-102) to secure a minor upset victory against Pat Sabbatini (-118) in a featherweight matchup featured on the early preliminary card. Elaborating on his rationale for the Mariscal-Sabatini bout, Vithlani stated, "Mariscal is now 5-0 in the UFC and hasn’t lost a fight since 2020. 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." This detailed breakdown exemplifies the depth of analytical rigor Vithlani applies to his predictions across various fight dynamics.

New users interested in sports betting may find various promotional offers available from licensed sportsbooks. For instance, the DraftKings promo code currently offers $300 in bonus bets if a qualifying initial bet wins, alongside three months of NBA League Pass, subject to specific terms and conditions. Similarly, the FanDuel promo code provides $300 in bonus bets instantly if a $5 bet wins. Additionally, the Underdog promo code, utilizing the code CBSSPORTS2, grants $100 in site credits when playing $5 in select states. Prospective bettors are advised to review the full terms and conditions associated with these offers on the respective platforms.

The full UFC 322 main fight card and associated odds (subject to change) are as follows:

  • Jack Della Maddalena (+245) vs. Islam Makhachev (-305) – UFC Welterweight Championship
  • Valentina Shevchenko (-148) vs. Zhang Weili (+124) – Women’s Flyweight Championship
  • Sean Brady (-142) vs. Michael Morales (+120) – Welterweight Bout. This matchup pits Brady’s formidable grappling and control against Morales’s undefeated record and striking power.
  • Leon Edwards (+140) vs. Carlos Prates (-166) – Lightweight Bout. A clash of styles between Edwards’s well-rounded approach and Prates’s aggressive stand-up.
  • Beniel Dariush (+160) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (-192) – Lightweight Bout. A high-stakes contest featuring two top lightweight contenders known for their relentless pressure and finishing instincts.

UFC 322 presents a pivotal moment for both Jack Della Maddalena, defending his newly acquired welterweight title against a challenger with a historic winning streak, and Islam Makhachev, seeking to etch his name into the annals of multi-division champions. The card promises a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts action from top to bottom, with critical matchups impacting several divisions and fighter trajectories, set against the backdrop of one of New York City’s most iconic sporting arenas.

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