UFC 322 RESULTS | Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena SCORECARDS

Fight Information: UFC 322 — Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, USA, the event was headlined by a welterweight title fight between Jack Della Maddalena (the reigning champion) and Islam Makhachev (moving up from lightweight).

Makhachev defeated Della Maddalena by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) after five full rounds to claim the UFC Welterweight Championship.

Key fight stats:

• Weight class: Welterweight (170 lbs)
• Venue/City: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
• Control time and takedowns: Makhachev scored multiple takedowns, controlled significant time on the ground, and imposed his grappling-heavy game plan.

Jack Della Maddalena, the proud Australian striker from Perth, rose through the ranks with a sharp boxing-heavy style and exceptional finishing instincts. After making waves on the regional circuit, he earned his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021 with a dominant performance. Della Maddalena quickly established himself in the welterweight division, picking up momentum with impressive victories over opponents like Randy Brown, Bassil Hafez, and Kevin Holland. His crisp combinations, durability, and forward pressure made him one of the most dangerous rising stars at 170 pounds.

Della Maddalena’s rise culminated in championship gold when he captured the UFC Welterweight Title, showcasing his composure and killer instinct against top-tier competition. Heading into UFC 322, he carried an elite record marked by highlight finishes and consistent improvement. At UFC 322, he faced Islam Makhachev in a high-stakes title defense. Despite showing heart and toughness throughout the bout, Della Maddalena was outgrappled over five rounds and lost via unanimous decision. Even with the setback, his performance cemented him as one of the division’s most skilled and dangerous fighters, primed for future title runs.

Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena fought at UFC 322 because:

1. Makhachev Was Moving Up to Become a Two-Division Champion

Islam Makhachev had already cleaned out much of the lightweight division and successfully defended his 155-lb title multiple times.
His next major goal was to move up to welterweight (170 lbs) to chase double-champ status — something only a few UFC fighters have achieved.

2. Jack Della Maddalena Was the Reigning, Undisputed Welterweight Champion

At the time, Jack Della Maddalena was the current UFC Welterweight Champion with a strong winning streak and reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers.
He needed a high-profile title defense, and Makhachev — a dominant champion moving up — created the perfect super-fight opportunity.

3. It Was a High-Demand “Champion vs Champion” Superfight

Both fighters were on long winning streaks, both were champions, and fans wanted to see how Makhachev’s elite grappling would match up against Jack’s high-level boxing and finishing ability.
The UFC promotes these “champion vs champion” fights because they draw huge attention and ticket sales.

4. Madison Square Garden Needed a Big Headliner

UFC 322 was booked for Madison Square Garden, one of the UFC’s biggest annual venues.
The UFC typically places massive marquee fights there — Makhachev vs. Della Maddalena fit perfectly.

5. Both Fighters Wanted Legacy Moments

• Makhachev wanted to cement himself as one of the greatest fighters ever by winning titles in two divisions.
• Jack Della Maddalena wanted to prove he could beat a dominant champion from another weight class and raise his own legacy.

Makhachev vs Della Maddalena scorecard

Sig. Strikes By Position

makhachev

Della Maddalena

Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena full fight Overview

The main event of UFC 322, held on November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, delivered one of the most highly anticipated welterweight clashes in recent UFC history. Former lightweight king Islam Makhachev moved up to 170 lbs to challenge the reigning welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. What followed was a strategic, technical, and physically demanding five-round battle that showcased the best of both fighters.

Round 1: Feeling Out, Immediate Pressure

The fight opened with Jack Della Maddalena trying to establish his trademark boxing rhythm—sharp jabs, feints, and short combinations. Makhachev remained calm, reading timing and footwork. Halfway through the round, Makhachev secured his first takedown, planting the champion on the mat and controlling from half-guard.
Della Maddalena remained composed, defended well, and avoided damage, but the round clearly favored Makhachev’s grappling control.

Edge: Makhachev

Round 2: Makhachev’s Game Plan Locks In

Della Maddalena upped his tempo, landing several clean left hooks and body shots that momentarily halted Makhachev’s forward pressure. One of these shots forced Makhachev to reset.
But Makhachev responded with another perfectly timed double-leg takedown, transitioning to top control and landing short elbows. His smothering pressure prevented Della from executing his fluid striking game.

Edge: Makhachev

Round 3: Deep Waters

This round showcased the gap in grappling. Every time Jack attempted to build striking momentum, Makhachev shot underneath and grounded him. The Dagestani fighter maintained heavy top pressure, advancing to mount briefly and threatening a head-and-arm choke.
Jack survived but spent most of the round defending.

Clear Makhachev round

Round 4: Champion’s Heart

Knowing he was down on the cards, Della Maddalena fought with urgency. He landed his best punches of the fight—clean right hands, sharp counters, and a crisp uppercut that got Makhachev’s attention.
Still, Makhachev remained composed. He secured a clinch, neutralized Jack’s offense, and ended the round with another takedown.

Close round, but Makhachev’s control edged it

Round 5: Makhachev Seals It

Jack tried to keep distance and push pace, but Makhachev’s conditioning shone. He secured two more takedowns in the final round, controlled position, and landed enough ground strikes to keep the champion defensive.
The final minute saw Della Maddalena desperately attempt to stand and swing, but Makhachev shut down the movement and rode out a dominant performance.

Final Result

Islam Makhachev def. Jack Della Maddalena (Unanimous Decision – 50–45, 50–45, 50–45)
Makhachev becomes the new UFC Welterweight Champion, extending his elite legacy and proving his dominance across multiple divisions.

Official Results: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev 

Islam Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 50–45) in the main event of UFC 322, showcasing his elite grappling, relentless pressure, and championship-level composure against one of the welterweight division’s most dangerous strikers. The fight demonstrated Makhachev’s ability to move up in weight, adapt to a bigger, stronger opponent, and still dominate the contest through superior wrestling, control, and tactical brilliance.

From the opening bell, Makhachev wasted little time implementing his game plan. He closed the distance behind feints and disciplined footwork, preventing Della Maddalena from setting his preferred striking rhythm. Within the first minute, Makhachev secured his opening takedown, immediately establishing top pressure and forcing Della Maddalena to fight off his back. The champion attempted elbows and short strikes, but Makhachev’s positioning minimized damage while steadily advancing to better control spots.

The second round followed a familiar pattern. Della Maddalena found isolated moments of striking success, landing clean jabs and a few sharp counters, but he struggled to maintain distance. Whenever Della Maddalena planted his feet to throw combinations, Makhachev timed level changes perfectly, dragging the welterweight champion to the canvas. From the top, Makhachev mixed in ground-and-pound with suffocating control, preventing Della Maddalena from building any offensive momentum.

By the third round, the trajectory of the fight became clearer. Although Della Maddalena continued to defend courageously and worked to create scrambles, Makhachev’s grappling IQ shone. He maintained top pressure, neutralized transitions, and constantly moved Della Maddalena toward the fence, where escape options were limited. Even in the rare moments when the fight returned to the feet, Makhachev’s forward pressure and clinch engagement shut down the champion’s striking rhythm.

The fourth round showcased Makhachev’s conditioning and adaptability. Della Maddalena pushed harder, stuffing early takedowns and landing several clean punches, including a sharp right hand that momentarily halted Makhachev’s forward movement. However, Makhachev quickly recovered, closed the distance, and secured another impactful takedown. His ground control and calculated strikes from the top solidified yet another dominant round.

Entering the fifth round, Della Maddalena knew he needed a finish to retain his title, and he came out aggressively. He threw combinations with urgency, targeting the body and head in an attempt to force a mistake. But once again, Makhachev’s wrestling proved too much. He secured a final takedown early in the round, shutting down the Australian’s offense and controlling the pace until the final horn.

After five rounds of methodical dominance, Islam Makhachev earned a clean sweep on all three judges’ scorecards, capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship and cementing his legacy as one of the most complete and dominant fighters of his era.

Makhachev’s victory at UFC 322 was a masterclass in game-planning and execution. His ability to neutralize one of the division’s most dangerous knockout artists, maintain relentless grappling pressure, and outwork a larger opponent over 25 minutes demonstrated why he is considered one of the pound-for-pound best. This win marked not only his successful move to welterweight but also another historic milestone in an already remarkable career.

Conclusion

Islam Makhachev’s victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 marked a new peak in his career, proving that his dominance isn’t limited to the lightweight division. Moving up to welterweight and defeating the reigning champion over five rounds, Makhachev showcased a complete, disciplined performance rooted in pressure, control, and championship composure.

Throughout the fight, Makhachev implemented a smart, grappling-centered game plan—mixing takedowns, clinch control, and positional dominance to neutralize Della Maddalena’s dangerous striking. While Della Maddalena had moments of sharp boxing and solid defensive work, he struggled to create meaningful space or sustained offense as Makhachev continuously disrupted his rhythm.

By the later rounds, Makhachev’s pace, conditioning, and cage intelligence became increasingly apparent. He maintained top control, landed clean ground-and-pound, and kept the champion pinned against the fence whenever needed. Della Maddalena showed heart and toughness, but Makhachev’s experience in championship rounds and technical precision ultimately dictated the tempo of the fight.

When the final horn sounded, there was little doubt about the outcome. The judges unanimously scored the bout 50–45 across all cards, awarding Islam Makhachev a clear and dominant victory—and crowning him the new UFC Welterweight Champion.

This win not only extended his legendary streak but also established him as one of the rare fighters to capture titles in multiple divisions. UFC 322 will be remembered as the night Makhachev proved he could conquer a new weight class and cement his status as one of the most complete and elite fighters in modern MMA.

Makhachev vs Della Maddalena Fight Photo