![Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev square off ahead of UFC 322. [Image courtesy: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/11/e2d5e-17631859103567-1920.jpg)
![Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev square off ahead of UFC 322. [Image courtesy: Getty]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAymGL/8QAHRAAAgICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBCEiAAUTQf/aAAgBAQABPwDre5WpO3v6rVqAvGtfQgYOc7cW4iALNWEsow7mQ7H6ef/EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAiH/2gAIAQIBAT8Ap6f/xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEf/aAAgBAwEBPwCP/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jack Della Maddalena braces for his first championship defense as Islam Makhachev arrives in a new division with plans to disrupt the welterweight order at UFC 322.
Della Maddalena enters as a young champion who relies on fundamentals and rarely deviates from them. He applies pressure through consistent output, maintains a tight guard, and benefits from long periods of clean, efficient work. His fifth-round surge against Belal Muhammad demonstrated how reliable his cardio and focus can be when the stakes are high.
Makhachev arrives with a different profile. His years at lightweight were characterized by control, patience, and an ability to steer fights toward his strengths long before opponents realize what’s happening. He reads positions well, adapts quickly, and exudes a level of composure that only comes from repeated success in high-pressure moments.
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Moving to welterweight adds new variables to solve. However, questions remain about whether he will be comfortable in a heavier division.
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The intrigue lies in how their strengths intersect. Della Maddalena excels when he stays upright, draws reactions, and keeps combinations flowing. Makhachev is most effective when he forces pauses, slows exchanges, and fights in ranges where his control is most effective.
The early prelims of UFC 322 start at 6 pm ET and 3 pm PT on ESPN+, Disney, and UFC Fight Pass. Prelims follow at 8 pm ET and 5 pm PT, with the main card beginning at 10 pm ET and 7 pm PT on pay-per-view.
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for live coverage and full round-by-round updates of UFC 322:
Round 1
Makhachev opens up with a low leg kick. Della Maddalena swarms in to land a two-punch combination. Nice jab to the body and the head by Della Maddalena. Makhachev takes Della Maddalena down and immediately gets on side control. He's attacking the body of Della Maddalena. The champion gets up briefly with a scramble, but Makhchev takes him down again after controlling the back for a while. Makhachev is working his way to a submission, but Della Maddalena defends it well.
Our Score: 10-9 Makhachev
Round 2
Makhachev opens up with a two-punch combination now. Della Maddalena needs to switch stances as Makhachev goes high with the kick. Della Maddalena lands a good knee in the clinch. Della Maddalena made a mistake trying to get over the whizzer and ended up in a dangerous position. Makhachev takes side control and lands strong elbows. Makhachev is trying to work his way to an arm triangle. Della Maddalena needs to be careful posturing up. Della Maddalena has done a good job of defending, but Makhachev is dominating the fight.
Our Score: 10-9 Makhachev (20-18 overall)
Round 3
Della Maddalena is moving his feet now and trying to use his boxing. Makhachev stings him with a strong calf kick. Beautiful four-punch combination from Della Maddalena. Makhachev recognizes the pressure and takes Della Maddalena down. Makhachev tries to peel the right arm off to get to a position where he can attack with some submission threats. Makhachev is attacking with the elbows and making Della Maddalena carry his weight.
Our Score: 10-9 Makhachev (30-27 overall)
Round 4
Della Maddalena attacks with a body kick, and Makhachev fires back. He's attacking the body now as Della Maddalena tries to keep switching stances. Makhachev is piecing Della Maddalena up, and he shoots for a takedown. He destroyed Della Maddalena's calf on the feet and is attacking the submission now on the ground. Makhachev takes Della Maddalena's back and works his way to a rear-naked choke. Della Maddalena defends it well. Makhachev is attacking for the kimura lock now, but Della Maddalena sits out and slowly gets his way back up.
Our Score: 10-9 Makhachev (40-36 overall)
Round 5
Della Maddalena has to find the finish, but Makhachev wastes no time in taking him down. Makhachev goes back to the kimura, and it's tight. Della Maddalena has managed to defend the submission threats well. Makachev is not allowing any space for Della Maddalena to get back up. Della Maddalena defends another submission attempt. He plays the fight in the wrestling department and bags another round.
Official Result
Islam Makhachev defeats Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, and 50-45).
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