Quick Read
- Islam Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision to win the UFC welterweight title at UFC 322.
- Makhachev is now a two-division champion and tied Anderson Silva’s record with 16 consecutive UFC wins.
- Valentina Shevchenko retained her women’s flyweight title by dominating Zhang Weili in the co-main event.
- The undercard featured knockout wins by Michael Morales, Carlos Prates, and Benoit Saint Denis.
- Makhachev’s wrestling and ground control proved too much for Maddalena, who struggled to escape throughout the fight.
Islam Makhachev’s Path to UFC Immortality
There are moments in sport when dominance isn’t just displayed—it’s redefined. At UFC 322, inside the storied walls of Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev did just that. Already hailed as one of the most technically sound lightweight champions in UFC history, Makhachev took a leap few dare to attempt: moving up to welterweight to challenge reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena. The result wasn’t just another victory—it was an emphatic statement.
Makhachev, battling through what he described as “the toughest camp” of his life and sporting a black eye from grueling training, entered the octagon with two ambitions: to claim a second UFC belt and to prove his brand of wrestling could overwhelm even the division’s best. He succeeded on both fronts. All three judges scored the fight 50-45 for Makhachev—a clean sweep that mirrored his control from the first bell to the last.
Round-by-Round Domination
From the outset, Makhachev’s gameplan was clear. He pressured Maddalena on the feet for a couple of minutes, then, almost like clockwork, executed takedowns that left the Australian champion staring at the arena lights. Della Maddalena, known for crisp boxing and resilient scrambling, found himself hopelessly pinned round after round. The takedown threat kept him from ever settling into a rhythm, and on the rare occasions he landed a combination, Makhachev responded with another cage-shaking slam.
The numbers tell a story of near-total control: Makhachev landed 140 of 188 strikes, an astonishing 74% success rate, while Della Maddalena managed just 30 significant strikes over the entire fight. On the ground, Makhachev hunted submissions and battered Maddalena with elbows, all while threatening a variety of chokes and joint locks. By the end of the third round, Maddalena’s corner looked dejected, but there was no escape from the Dagestani’s relentless pressure.
Breaking Records and Surpassing Legends
With this victory, Makhachev became just the 11th fighter in UFC history to win titles in two weight classes, joining legends like Georges St-Pierre and Daniel Cormier. More impressively, he tied Anderson Silva’s all-time UFC win streak record with 16 consecutive victories, a run that now spans a decade. Makhachev’s resume is already stacked: wins over pound-for-pound stars Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and top contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker.
His mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, retired with an undefeated record, but Makhachev has eclipsed him in nearly every statistical category except for that elusive zero in the loss column. At 34, with his physicality fully realized at welterweight, Makhachev’s legacy as one of MMA’s greatest appears secure—and still growing. As he put it post-fight: “All my opponents know this, and nobody can stop it.” (New York Times, Yahoo Sports)
The Co-Main Event: Shevchenko’s Smothering Supremacy
If the men’s main event was a lesson in wrestling dominance, the women’s flyweight title bout was no different. Valentina Shevchenko, returning to top form, dispatched former strawweight champion Zhang Weili with a similar blueprint: body kicks, clinch control, and relentless takedowns. All five rounds ended with Weili looking up from the mat, unable to solve Shevchenko’s pressure.
Shevchenko’s win marked her ninth career title defense across two reigns and made her the first woman in UFC history to notch 60 career takedowns. For Zhang, who vacated her strawweight belt to chase two-division glory, the challenge proved insurmountable. Shevchenko’s resume now gleams even brighter, with victories over top names like Holly Holm and Joanna Jędrzejczyk. (ESPN)
Undercard Highlights and New Contenders Emerging
While the title fights stole the spotlight, the undercard delivered its own fireworks. Michael Morales lit up Sean Brady with a first-round TKO, signaling his arrival as a top welterweight contender. Carlos Prates stunned Leon Edwards with a second-round KO, while Benoit Saint Denis dispatched Beneil Dariush in just 16 seconds. Bo Nickal continued his meteoric rise, finishing Rodolfo Vieira with a head kick in round three.
The energy in Madison Square Garden was palpable, with crowds roaring for each finish and for the coronation of new champions. Dana White, the ever-present UFC president, mingled with fans and fighters alike, no doubt weighing the next big matchups in these newly shaken divisions.
What Comes Next for Makhachev and the Welterweight Division?
Makhachev’s win leaves the welterweight division in flux. Jack Della Maddalena, just 29 and hailed for his boxing, must now regroup after a humbling defeat. For Makhachev, the challenge is clear: maintain dominance as contenders adjust to his physicality and style. With no obvious challenger on the immediate horizon, his reign may echo the dominance of his predecessor—and perhaps even surpass it.
As for the rest of the card, rising stars like Morales and Prates look to stake their claim, while Shevchenko’s continued excellence raises the bar for women’s MMA. UFC 322 was a night where legends grew larger, and new stories began to unfold.
Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 322 wasn’t just another win—it was a clinical exhibition of control and adaptability, cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. With his technical mastery and relentless pressure, Makhachev now stands poised not just as a champion, but as the benchmark for future generations of mixed martial artists.