Updated by FFRNews on November 12, 2025
The fight world is buzzing ahead of Makhachev vs Della Maddalena UFC 322, where Russian powerhouse Islam Makhachev moves up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, one of Australia’s fiercest MMA talents. The bout, set for November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, New York City, headlines what promises to be one of the most explosive UFC cards of the year.
This blockbuster event will determine if Makhachev can extend his dominance beyond the lightweight division or if Della Maddalena can defend his welterweight crown against one of the greatest grapplers of the modern era.
UFC 322 Main Event Details
- Event: UFC 322
- Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City
- Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev – Welterweight Title Bout
- Start Time: Main card at 10 p.m. ET (03:00 GMT Sunday)
- Main Event Walk: Approx. 11:30 p.m. ET (04:30 GMT Sunday)
- Preliminary Card: Starts at 8 p.m. ET (01:00 GMT Sunday)
Why Makhachev Moved Up to Welterweight
After dominating the lightweight division with four successful title defenses, Islam Makhachev shocked fans when he vacated his 155lb title in May 2025. The Russian fighter explained that cutting down to lightweight had become increasingly difficult and hindered his recovery between bouts.
“My life changed when I changed the weight division. All my life, I had to think about what I eat. Now I can eat whatever I want and smile,” Makhachev told ESPN.
Known for his relentless grappling, submission game, and striking precision, Makhachev aims to become one of the few fighters to capture titles in multiple weight divisions — joining legends like Georges St-Pierre and Conor McGregor.
Jack Della Maddalena: The Underdog Champion with Knockout Power
Reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, nicknamed “JDM,” is no stranger to defying odds. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under coach Ben Vickers, the 29-year-old from Perth, Australia, boasts a record of 18 consecutive wins dating back to 2016.
Vickers recently told Fox Sports Australia:
“He’ll just keep turning up to beat whoever you put in front of him. He took Belal Muhammad’s streak — next, he’ll take Islam’s.”
Della Maddalena combines precision striking with a punishing counterattack style. His knockout-heavy record (12 KOs in 20 fights) proves he has the power to end a fight in an instant.
Contrasting Fighting Styles: Grappler vs Striker
This Makhachev vs Della Maddalena UFC 322 matchup is a classic MMA contrast — wrestling and control versus striking and precision.
Makhachev, trained by UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, is known for smothering opponents with takedowns, transitions, and submissions. His ground-and-pound game is one of the most feared in the sport.
Della Maddalena, on the other hand, will look to keep the fight standing. His crisp boxing combinations and distance control make him a nightmare for wrestlers who can’t close the gap.
“Probably in his mind, he thinks he’ll take me down, immobilise me or finish me,” said Della Maddalena on Mainevent TV. “But I have the strength, technique, and defence to surprise him.”
Betting Odds: Makhachev the Heavy Favorite
According to BetMGM, Makhachev enters UFC 322 as the -275 favorite, while Della Maddalena is listed at +225. Internationally, Bet365 prices Makhachev at $1.36 to win, with Della Maddalena at $3.25 — making the Australian the underdog despite being champion.
The odds reflect both Makhachev’s dominance in recent years and his ability to adapt his skillset to higher weight classes.
Will Donald Trump Attend UFC 322?
Adding to the intrigue, there’s speculation that US President Donald Trump may attend the Madison Square Garden event. Trump, who has long been associated with the UFC since hosting early events in New Jersey in 2001, attended UFC 316 earlier this year.
While his attendance hasn’t been confirmed, UFC CEO Dana White has hinted that “some special guests” may appear cageside for the New York blockbuster.
Makhachev’s Path to Greatness
The 34-year-old Dagestani has been nearly unstoppable since his UFC debut in 2015. With a record of 27 wins and just 1 loss, Makhachev has not tasted defeat in nearly a decade. He credits his rise to the mentorship of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s late father, who helped build the Dagestan MMA dynasty.
- Record: 28 fights (27 wins, 1 loss)
- Knockouts: 5
- Submissions: 13
- Decisions: 9
- Streak: 15 straight wins
Della Maddalena’s Journey to the Title
Della Maddalena captured the UFC welterweight title in May 2025 after defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in Montreal. His rise through the ranks has been defined by resilience, striking accuracy, and a calm fighting demeanor that unsettles opponents.
- Record: 20 fights (18 wins, 2 losses)
- Knockouts: 12
- Submissions: 2
- Decisions: 4
- Last Defeat: May 2016
His upcoming bout marks his first title defense — and it couldn’t come against a more formidable opponent.
Co-Main Event: Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili
The co-main event adds another layer of excitement to UFC 322, as Valentina Shevchenko defends her flyweight title against China’s Zhang Weili, a former strawweight champion.
The matchup pits two of the most skilled female fighters in UFC history against each other, promising a tactical and high-paced bout.
UFC 322 Full Fight Card
Main Card (10 p.m. ET | 03:00 GMT Sunday):
- Jack Della Maddalena (Australia) vs Islam Makhachev (Russia) – Welterweight Title
- Valentina Shevchenko (Kyrgyzstan) vs Zhang Weili (China) – Flyweight Title
- Sean Brady (US) vs Michael Morales (Ecuador) – Welterweight
- Leon Edwards (UK) vs Carlos Prates (Brazil) – Welterweight
- Beneil Dariush (US) vs Benoit Saint-Denis (France) – Lightweight
Preliminary Card (8 p.m. ET | 01:00 GMT Sunday):
- Bo Nickal (US) vs Rodolfo Vieira (Brazil) – Middleweight
- Roman Kopylov (Russia) vs Gregory Rodrigues (Brazil) – Middleweight
- Erin Blanchfield (US) vs Tracy Cortez (US) – Women’s Flyweight
- Malcolm Wellmaker (US) vs Cody Haddon (Australia) – Bantamweight
Future Matchups: Could Makhachev Face Topuria Next?
If Makhachev captures the welterweight title, a superfight against Ilia Topuria — the current lightweight champion — could be next. Both fighters have expressed interest in facing off at a potential UFC White House event next June, an unprecedented idea discussed by President Trump and UFC officials.
“He wants to fight at the White House, and I also want to be there,” said Makhachev. “Which fight could be bigger than that?”
Such a showdown would rival the hype of Nurmagomedov vs McGregor (2018) and could become one of the UFC’s most lucrative events ever.
How to Watch UFC 322 Live
Fans can catch the Makhachev vs Della Maddalena UFC 322 showdown live via:
- UFC Fight Pass (worldwide streaming)
- ESPN+ PPV (United States)
- Main Event TV (Australia)
- TNT Sports Box Office (UK)
- Live text coverage on Al Jazeera Sports
What to Expect
This is more than a fight — it’s a clash of eras, styles, and legacies. Makhachev’s elite grappling against Della Maddalena’s fearless striking ensures fireworks at Madison Square Garden.
As both fighters prepare for war, one question looms large:
Can Makhachev cement his status as a two-division champion, or will Della Maddalena shock the world and remain king of the welterweights?
