On the night of November 16, New York will once again become the center of the fight world: in the UFC 322 main event at Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev will try to make history — to capture a second title in the promotion, this time at welterweight. His opponent is the reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena, one of the hottest prospects of recent years. If Islam succeeds, he will become the first Russian fighter to hold titles in two divisions — something even Khabib never did.
Welterweight Test: Della Maddalena Is the First Hurdle
Jack Della Maddalena burst into the UFC in 2022 and hasn’t lost since: eight fights — eight wins. In May he took the belt, confidently going the distance and defeating Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision, and now he prepares for his first defense. For Makhachev, this is a climb to new heights: the former lightweight champion has long flirted with moving up and comes to this attempt on a 15-fight winning streak. A second belt isn’t just a résumé line — it’s a claim to special status in MMA history.
From the Skyscraper Roof: The First Faceoff and Makhachev's Form
The first staredown didn’t take place in a stuffy press room, but on the roof of a New York skyscraper — a panorama of Manhattan, the wind, and two champions face to face. Fans instantly noted Islam’s transformation: visually he has added size, looks denser and ‘welterweight-tight’. For the 170-pound throne this is an important signal: changing divisions isn’t only about technique and game plan, but also about wisely added mass.
New York Notes: Tackle, Hardwood, and Friendly Banter
In the days before the bout, Islam kept things homely. He stopped by the local fishing store Pells Bait And Tackle — picked up a set of tackle and some bait, and the owners warmly thanked the champion on social media and promised to root for him over the weekend. There was a bit of octagon “detox” too: Makhachev attended the New York Knicks — Brooklyn Nets game and left with a personalized jersey No. 322 from Karl-Anthony Towns. On social media, Islam joked that he was “recruiting a team” and teased Khabib, who replied in his signature style. Same venue — Madison Square Garden — only this weekend the hardwood will give way to the cage.
A Card That Warms: What Else Is on the Program
The co-main event is a title bout in women’s flyweight. Valentina Shevchenko, who has held the belt for over a year, faces Weili Zhang, who left the strawweight title behind to conquer a new division. For Zhang it’s not just a challenge to the body — it’s a challenge to the Shevchenko era. A win opens the door to champion status in a new weight class; a loss sends her back into the queue of contenders.
The Night's Bill: UFC 322's Main Matchups
- Islam Makhachev vs Jack Della Maddalena — championship fight for the welterweight title.
- Valentina Shevchenko vs Weili Zhang — gold in women’s flyweight.
- Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates — top-tier 170 pounds, where every round is a risk.
- Sean Brady vs Michael Morales — clash of styles: control and grappling versus youthful aggression.
- Beneil Dariush vs Benoit Saint-Denis — experience and calculation versus relentless work rate.
- Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira — world-class wrestler versus BJJ master.
- Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues — striking chess match at middleweight.
- Baisangur Susurkaev vs Eric Macconico — a chance to announce oneself on the big stage.
A Step Toward Immortality: Why This Fight Is More Than a Title
For Makhachev, New York is more than geography. It’s the point where the lightweight hegemon can become a two-division champion and cement a unique legacy in Russian MMA. Della Maddalena is the perfect litmus test: young, cold-blooded, tidy in the stand-up and sharp with combinations. Islam is a proven system of pressure, timing, and control — now with extra pounds of power. At stake is more than a belt. At stake is a place in the pantheon. And very soon Madison Square Garden will answer whether Islam is ready to raise a second crown.
