The world of mixed martial arts is focused on Madison Square Garden in New York City, as the iconic venue hosts UFC 322, headlined by a colossal clash for the UFC Welterweight Championship. In a true striker vs. grappler matchup with massive historical implications, reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena defends his title for the first time against former Lightweight King, Islam Makhachev.
This fight is one of the most highly anticipated pairings of the year, driven by Makhachev's bold move up a weight class and the high-level challenge posed by the Australian champion.
The Stakes: Two-Division Glory vs. Dominant Defense
For Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), the stakes are monumental. The Dagestani phenom, who vacated his Lightweight title after four successful defenses, is hunting history. A victory would see him join an elite list of UFC male fighters to win championships in two different weight classes, a legacy-defining achievement. Furthermore, a win would tie him with Anderson Silva’s iconic record for the longest continuous winning streak in UFC history (16 straight wins). Having dominated the 155-pound division, Makhachev is seeking to prove that his world-class grappling and striking game translates seamlessly to the 170-pound division.
For Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), this is the ultimate test of his championship reign. The newly crowned Welterweight Champion secured the title by defeating Belal Muhammad and now faces arguably the most dangerous challenger in the sport. Della Maddalena, or "JDM," is looking to silence the doubters who, despite his 18-fight win streak, still question his ability to handle an elite grappler. A successful defense against a legend like Makhachev would instantly cement his legitimacy as the undisputed king of the welterweight division.
Key Matchup: The Striking Surgeon vs. The Ground-and-Pound Master
This main event features a classic contrast of styles, with the outcome likely decided by who can successfully impose their will and dictate the fight's location.
The Champion: Jack Della Maddalena (Striker/BJJ Black Belt)
Strengths: Della Maddalena is an elite, technical boxer with phenomenal counter-striking ability. He possesses heavy, accurate hands and utilizes movement to create angles and control distance. His striking defense and ability to scramble back to his feet are key. In his title fight against Belal Muhammad, he showed significant improvements in takedown defense, stuffing most attempts.
The Key to Victory: JDM must utilize his footwork to stay off the cage, keep the fight in the center of the Octagon, and make Makhachev work in space. If he can force the fight into a five-round striking battle, his cleaner boxing and power edge will give him a major advantage.
The Challenger: Islam Makhachev (Grappler/Wrestler)
Strengths: Makhachev is regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the world, built on a foundation of world-class Dagestani wrestling and smothering top control. His takedown accuracy is among the best in the UFC, and once he secures top position, his ground-and-pound is suffocating, often leading to submissions. His striking has also evolved considerably, allowing him to set up his entries safely. The move up a weight class is anticipated to help his cardio and performance, as he no longer deals with a taxing weight cut.
The Key to Victory: Makhachev's mission is clear: secure the takedown, achieve top control, and exploit the minutes on the ground. He must negate JDM’s initial burst of offense and use his technical grappling advantages to break the champion's will and test his gas tank under the weight of his control.
Expert Predictions and Betting Lines
The betting odds reflect the highly competitive nature of this champion vs. champion bout, though Makhachev enters as the slight favorite.
| Fighter | Odds (Approx.) | Note |
| Islam Makhachev | -275 | Slight favorite due to superior grappling and overall experience. |
| Jack Della Maddalena | +225 | Significant 'live dog' supported by his elite striking and size in the division. |
Many analysts predict that while Della Maddalena will have the advantage on the feet, Makhachev's relentless pressure, technical wrestling, and superior ability to control the fight on the mat will ultimately be the difference-maker, with a late finish being a strong possibility.
UFC 322 Main Event Details
Bout: (C) Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Title: UFC Welterweight Championship
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Venue: Madison Square Garden (MSG), New York City, NY, USA
