MMA Match Preview: (Title Fight) Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) vs. Islam Makhachev (27-1)

Venue & Timing

Event: UFC 322

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Main Card Start: 10:00 PM ET (ESPN+ PPV)

Main Event Walkouts: Approx. 11:30 PM ET

Injury Report

Jack Della Maddalena: No reported injuries; cleared after winning the welterweight title at UFC 315 vs. Belal Muhammad.

Islam Makhachev: No reported injuries; healthy after vacating lightweight belt and moving up in weight.

Fighter Matchups

Jack Della Maddalena:

Style: Precise boxing, surgical combinations, calm under pressure.

Strengths: Knockout power (12 KO wins), accuracy, composure.

Weaknesses: Grappling defense still untested against elite wrestlers.

Islam Makhachev:

Style: Dagestani wrestling, suffocating top control, submission arsenal.

Strengths: Cardio, positional dominance, 11 submission wins.

Weaknesses: Moving up in weight, facing a bigger power puncher.

Recent Form

Della Maddalena:

Win vs. Belal Muhammad (KO, UFC 315, title win).

8–0 UFC record, all wins by finish or dominant decision.

Makhachev:

Defended lightweight title four times (wins vs. Volkanovski, Oliveira).

Vacated lightweight belt in 2025 to pursue welterweight gold.

Fight History Context

First meeting between the two.

Makhachev seeks to become a two-division UFC champion, joining legends like Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes.

Della Maddalena looks to prove he can defend the belt against one of the pound-for-pound best.

Betting Trends

Makhachev: Heavy favorite; public money backing his wrestling dominance.

Della Maddalena: Underdog value rising; sharp bettors targeting KO prop due to his power.

Totals: Majority of bets on Over 2.5 rounds, expecting Makhachev’s control to slow pace.

Key Factors: Makhachev’s wrestling and cardio should neutralize Della Maddalena’s striking, though Jack’s knockout power makes him a live underdog.

Summary: UFC 322’s main event is a historic clash. Makhachev’s suffocating wrestling and bid for two-division glory collide with Della Maddalena’s knockout artistry and first title defense. Expect a tactical, high-stakes battle where Makhachev’s control likely prevails, but Jack’s power keeps the upset alive.

FIGHT ODDS

Jack Della Maddalena                    – 280

Islam Makhachev                             + 225

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, November 14, 2025