UFC CEO Dana White has previewed the highly anticipated welterweight title fight between champion Jack Della Maddalena and challenger Islam Makhachev at UFC 322, highlighting the intensity of their final faceoff. The event, set for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, features a stacked card with multiple championship bouts that promise to deliver thrilling action.
Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion from Australia, is defending his title for the first time after capturing it in May 2025 with a victory over Belal Muhammad. Boasting an impressive 18-fight winning streak, Della Maddalena is recognized for his versatile skill set and ability to perform under pressure. Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champion from Russia, is moving up to welterweight in a bid to become a two-division UFC champion. A win for Makhachev would tie Anderson Silva’s record for the most consecutive victories in UFC history, adding historic stakes to the matchup.
The buildup to the fight reached a climax during the final faceoff on Friday, where Dana White intervened to separate Della Maddalena and Makhachev after a prolonged and intense staredown. Both fighters refused to break eye contact, heightening the drama ahead of their clash. In post-faceoff comments, Makhachev described it as the ‘biggest fight of my life’ and expressed confidence in his readiness. Della Maddalena, meanwhile, boldly declared his intention to retain the belt, telling fans, ‘Australia, it’s coming home.’
Beyond the main event, UFC 322 features a compelling co-main event between flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and strawweight champion Zhang Weili, who is moving up in weight. Shevchenko, with a dominant 10-1-1 record in flyweight title fights, faces Zhang, a powerful striker who has successfully defended her strawweight title multiple times. This bout is considered one of the most significant in women’s MMA history, given both fighters’ legendary statuses and technical prowess.
The main card is rounded out by several key matchups that could influence future title pictures. In the welterweight division, Sean Brady takes on undefeated Michael Morales in a contest that may determine the next title challenger. Additionally, former champion Leon Edwards faces Carlos Prates in a critical fight for Edwards, who is looking to rebound from two consecutive losses and reestablish himself in the division.
UFC 322 continues the tradition of hosting landmark events at Madison Square Garden, a venue synonymous with historic MMA moments. The full card includes a mix of established veterans and rising stars across various weight classes, ensuring a night of diverse and exciting fights. From the preliminary bouts to the main card, fans can expect non-stop action and potential upset victories.
The outcomes of UFC 322 could have lasting implications for the UFC landscape. A victory for Makhachev might set up superfights in multiple divisions, while a win for Della Maddalena could solidify his era as welterweight king. Similarly, the co-main event result could redefine the flyweight division and open doors for new contenders. Dana White’s active role in promoting the event underscores its importance to the organization’s global strategy.
As fight night approaches, analysts and fans are divided on predictions, with many highlighting the stylistic clash between Della Maddalena’s all-around game and Makhachev’s grappling dominance. Regardless of the results, UFC 322 is poised to be a memorable chapter in MMA history, offering high drama and elite competition that will be discussed for years to come.
