Della Maddalena to defend welterweight title vs Makhachev at UFC 322

The UFC has confirmed a high-stakes welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15, when reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena will defend his 170-pound belt against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The matchup was announced by UFC president Dana White and will headline UFC 322, a card already expected to feature Valentina Shevchenko defending her flyweight title against Zhang Weili and the return of Leon Edwards.

Makhachev, who relinquished the lightweight title earlier this year after four successful defenses, will move up one division to challenge Della Maddalena, who captured the belt in May by outpointing Belal Muhammad. Oddsmakers have opened the fight with Makhachev as a clear favorite, a margin some commentators say is larger than expected. Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel he was surprised by how wide the line opened, while Michael Bisping told Bloody Elbow he found the odds "a little bit disrespectful" to Della Maddalena.

Voices on both sides see plausible paths to victory. Della Maddalena’s camp has highlighted size, power and improved takedown defense, and the champion has enlisted elite grappler Craig Jones for an extended period...