Della Maddalena to defend welterweight title vs Makhachev at UFC 322

Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight title against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at Madison Square Garden in New York when UFC 322 headlines the venue on November 15, according to promotional schedules; some reports list the event on November 16. The matchup pits the Australian champion, who dethroned Belal Muhammad in May, against Makhachev, who vacated the lightweight crown earlier this year to pursue a move up to 170 pounds.

The bout has become one of the most debated fights of the year because it represents a classic striker versus grappler test at the highest level and carries the added magnitude of a possible two‑division championship for Makhachev. The Dagestani star arrives as a betting favorite and a pound‑for‑pound luminary whose elite wrestling and ground game have dominated opponents for years. A win at welterweight would further burnish his legacy. Della Maddalena, meanwhile, has surged to the top on relentless pressure and power and aims to cement himself as the division’s undisputed ruler.

A notable contingent of fighters and analysts, however, believes an upset is possible. Ian Machado Garry, a top‑ranked welterweight contender,...