Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York this Saturday for UFC 322, headlined by a compelling welterweight championship clash. Newly crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena is set to make his first title defense against the formidable Islam Makhachev, who is moving up from the lightweight division. The main card action is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following the preliminary bouts at 8 p.m. ET and early preliminaries kicking off at 6 p.m. ET.
Jack Della Maddalena, 29, secured the UFC welterweight championship in his last outing at UFC 315 in May, where he decisively defeated former contender Belal Muhammad. This victory marked the pinnacle of a remarkable professional career that began in March 2016. Despite suffering losses in his initial two professional bouts, Della Maddalena has maintained an unblemished record since, accumulating a 18-2 professional record. 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 to the premier mixed martial arts promotion.
Upon entering the UFC, Della Maddalena quickly made an impact, debuting with a TKO victory over Pete Rodriguez at UFC 270 in January 2022. Known for his aggressive striking and versatile skill set, Della Maddalena boasts 12 victories by knockout, two by submission, and four by decision, showcasing his ability to finish fights across various methods. His impressive performances have garnered significant recognition within the MMA community. In 2022, he was honored as ESPN’s UFC Men’s Rookie of the Year and shared the Co-Newcomer of the Year title with Jailton Almeida by Cageside Press. UFC.com also named him their 2022 Newcomer of the Year. Beyond accolades, Della Maddalena has been a consistent recipient of performance bonuses, earning four "Performance of the Night" awards and two "Fight of the Night" honors, highlighting his entertaining and impactful fighting style. His consistent dominance has also placed him at No. 8 in the highly competitive UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his rising status in the sport.
Challenging Della Maddalena for the welterweight strap is Islam Makhachev, 34, a former UFC lightweight champion making his highly anticipated move to the 170-pound division. Makhachev enters this contest on an astounding 15-bout winning streak, a testament to his exceptional grappling prowess and refined striking. His professional career, which commenced in August 2010, saw him win his first 12 fights, including his UFC debut in May 2015 against Leo Kuntz, whom he defeated by submission. His sole professional defeat came later that year when he was knocked out by Adriano Martins, a loss he has avenged with an unparalleled run of victories. With a career record of 27-1, Makhachev’s finishing abilities are evident, with five wins by knockout, 13 by submission, and nine by decision.
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Makhachev’s reign as the UFC lightweight champion was marked by dominance, successfully defending his title an impressive four times before deciding to pursue a challenge in a heavier weight class. His achievements extend beyond title defenses; he holds the record for the most UFC lightweight title wins with five and the most consecutive UFC title defenses in the lightweight division with four. His 15-fight winning streak places him in an elite category, tying him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest win streak in UFC history. Makhachev has also earned three "Fight of the Night" and three "Performance of the Night" bonuses, underscoring his consistent high-level performances. His move to welterweight represents a significant moment, testing his skills against a new set of opponents and the reigning champion.
The betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook position Islam Makhachev as the favorite in the main event, listed at -298, meaning a wager of $298 would be required to yield a $100 profit. Conversely, Jack Della Maddalena is the underdog at +240, where a $100 bet could return a $240 profit. These odds reflect Makhachev’s extensive winning streak, his historical dominance as a champion, and the perceived challenge of Della Maddalena’s title defense against a fighter moving up in weight with significant momentum.
In the co-main event, the women’s flyweight championship will also be contested, featuring defending champion Valentina Shevchenko against challenger Zhang Weili. Shevchenko is favored at -148, while Weili stands as the underdog at +124, setting the stage for another high-stakes encounter.
For those seeking expert analysis on UFC 322, SportsLine’s resident MMA analyst Daniel Vithlani has provided detailed predictions and betting advice. Vithlani has established himself as a highly analytical and consistent winner for SportsLine members, commencing his tenure in January 2023 with a perfect 5-0 record for UFC 283. His track record includes being up over $1,500 on his UFC main-card sports betting picks. Notable successes include accurately predicting the upset victory for Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card. At UFC 299, Vithlani correctly identified underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130). His comprehensive insights for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev and other bouts on the card are available exclusively through SportsLine.
Among Vithlani’s specific UFC 322 predictions, he has identified Chepe Mariscal (-102) to secure a minor upset victory over Pat Sabbatini (-118) in a featherweight matchup on the early preliminary card. Vithlani notes Mariscal’s impressive 5-0 record in the UFC and an undefeated streak dating back to 2020. He describes Mariscal as a "scrappy fighter who welcomes a nasty affair," emphasizing his ability to leverage pace, pressure, and grittiness to intimidate opponents. Mariscal’s volume-striking attack is cited as a significant threat, but Vithlani highlights his grappling and scrambling abilities as a decisive advantage in this particular matchup. In contrast, Sabbatini is recognized as a skilled Ju-Jitsu ace, with 13 of his 19 professional wins coming via submission, indicative of his proficiency on the ground. However, Vithlani expresses skepticism about Sabbatini’s capacity to keep Mariscal pinned, given Mariscal’s 73% takedown defense rate and his proven ability to return to his feet. Should the fight primarily unfold in a striking exchange, Vithlani anticipates Mariscal’s relentless pressure will ultimately overwhelm Sabbatini.
The UFC 322 main card also features several other intriguing matchups with notable odds. Sean Brady is favored at -142 against Michael Morales (+120) in a welterweight bout. Leon Edwards, another welterweight, is listed at +140 as the underdog against Carlos Prates (-166). Additionally, Beniel Dariush (+160) faces Benoit Saint-Denis (-192) in a lightweight contest. Vithlani’s analysis extends to these and other fights, including a prediction for a fighter whose "constant barrage of strikes and takedowns" is expected to lead to a significant victory.
For those interested in exploring betting opportunities, new users at DraftKings Sportsbook can access a promotional offer providing $300 in bonus bets if their initial wager wins, alongside three months of NBA League Pass. Another option for new users is the Underdog promo code, which offers $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the promo code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. Furthermore, FanDuel also provides a promotional code for new users, offering $300 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 bet wins. These offers present various avenues for engagement with the event’s betting markets.
The full spectrum of Vithlani’s expert picks and detailed fight analysis for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev, including predictions on how the main event might conclude, and insights into all other key bouts on the UFC 322 card, remains accessible for those seeking to inform their betting decisions. His comprehensive breakdown, built on a strong analytical foundation and a history of successful predictions, offers a valuable resource for navigating the complexities of mixed martial arts wagering.
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