The air in New York City crackles with an intensity reserved for historic events, and on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, the UFC will deliver one of its biggest. UFC 322 features a monumental main event:Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena. This is more than a title fight; it’s a collision of fighting styles, a battle for legacy, and a true superfight that will shape the future of two divisions. For fight fans in Dhaka and around the world, this is a can’t-miss event.
The Lightweight Legend: Islam Makhachev’s Quest for a Second Crown
Across the octagon is Islam Makhachev, a fighter forged in the legendary wrestling rooms of Dagestan. As the former lightweight champion, Makhachev has established himself as one of the most dominant forces in the sport’s history. His impressive record of 27 wins and only 1 loss is a testament to his smothering style and unwavering discipline.
Makhachev’s fighting philosophy is built on elite Sambo and wrestling. He is a master of takedowns and his ground control is suffocating. Once he gets an opponent to the mat, he systematically breaks them down with heavy pressure and ground-and-pound, always looking for a submission. While his grappling is his greatest weapon, his striking has evolved into a dangerous tool, as seen in his shocking head kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.
The decision for Makhachev to vacate his lightweight title and move up in weight is driven by one powerful ambition: to achieve “champ-champ” status. Having cleared out his own division, he seeks to join a rare group of two-division champions. This is why they fight—Makhachev wants to prove his dominance transcends weight classes, a final, definitive statement to solidify his place in the Pound-for-Pound rankings.
The Welterweight King: Jack Della Maddalena’s Meteoric Rise
Just a short time ago, Jack Della Maddalena was a rising contender. Today, he stands as the undisputed UFC welterweight champion with a dominant 18-fight winning streak. His journey from Dana White’s Contender Series to the top of the division has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s not just a striker; he’s a master of precision. His world-class boxing and surgical combinations have dismantled top contenders like Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland.
Della Maddalena’s most significant victory came at UFC 315 when he defeated Belal Muhammad to capture the title. That five-round performance was a masterclass in striking and proved his resilience and exceptional takedown defense. Against a relentless grappler like Muhammad, Della Maddalena stuffed takedowns and punished his opponent on the feet, proving he has the skills and cardio to dominate on his terms. Now, he faces his greatest test, a challenge that will either cement his reign as champion or mark the end of his golden run.
The Clash of Styles: Grappler vs. Striker
The main event of UFC 322 is a classic grappler vs. striker matchup, but at the highest level imaginable. The outcome hinges entirely on whose game plan can be imposed more effectively.
- Makhachev’s Path to Victory: His strategy is clear: close the distance, secure a takedown, and control the fight on the ground. He’ll use feints and leg kicks to disguise his entries, relentlessly pursuing the clinch and takedowns. Once the fight hits the mat, he will use his heavy top pressure to drain Della Maddalena’s energy, limiting his explosive striking and searching for a submission or a dominant decision.
- Della Maddalena’s Path to Victory: For Della Maddalena, the plan is to keep the fight on the feet. He must use his superior footwork to evade Makhachev’s takedown attempts and use his precise boxing to land powerful, fight-ending combinations. If he can consistently stuff the takedowns, it will force Makhachev to take more risks on the feet, which is where Della Maddalena can capitalize with his knockout power.
The most critical X-factor is Makhachev’s weight class transition. Can his grappling be as effective against a naturally larger, more powerful opponent? Della Maddalena has experience fighting at welterweight, and his size could be a crucial advantage in the clinch and on the ground. The physical battle will be just as important as the stylistic one.
The Co-Main Event: Another Historic Clash
UFC 322 is far from a one-fight show. The event also features a historic co-main event: Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili.
Shevchenko, the long-reigning women’s flyweight champion, is known for her clinical striking and technical mastery. She faces Zhang Weili, the powerful and dynamic strawweight champion who is moving up to challenge for a second title. This is another champion vs. champion battle, promising a high-level striking war and adding another layer of intrigue to an already stacked card.
Other key fights on the UFC 322 fight card include a pivotal welterweight showdown between former champion Leon Edwards and rising contender Carlos Prates, with major title implications.
The Final Prediction
This is a true pick ’em fight, but based on the matchup, the prediction leans towards Islam Makhachev via a late-round submission or a dominant decision. While Della Maddalena’s striking is elite, Makhachev’s relentless pressure and world-class grappling are likely to be the deciding factors. He has a proven ability to find a way to win against top-tier fighters. However, a single mistake by Makhachev on the feet could lead to a devastating knockout from Della Maddalena, a reminder that in MMA, anything can happen.
The Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena match date of November 15, 2025, will be a day that will forever be remembered in combat sports history. It’s a battle of two of the best in the world, fighting not just for a title, but for eternal legacy.