Jack Della Maddalena Vs. Islam Makhachev Breakdown

A welterweight title fight is set to headline UFC 322 on November 15, as the champion Jack Della Maddalena faces off against Islam Makhachev. 

This marks JDM’s first defense of his belt, which he won against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May in an upset unanimous decision win. He has teamed up with one of Islam’s former opponents and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a bid to secure another major victory. Meanwhile, Makhachev vacated his lightweight title to move up to try and become a double champion. His last fight was a win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in May. 

Pre-Fight

“I think Islam, if he can get on top of you and you give him time to sort of get to better positions, I think he’ll just keep getting to better positions until he can get the finish. I think keeping moving, never letting a position really settle, is going to be key to victory,” JDM said

“Jack or Islam? I think Islam, we will see. Both are good fighters. Islam moving up is interesting to see how he’s gonna do but I think Islam will win, he’s gonna use his wrestling more in this fight,” Chimaev stated

Approach

Maddalena’s blueprint for success hinges on maintaining the distance where his precise boxing can thrive. His most crucial tactical move will be nullifying the grappling threat of Makhachev, a strategy undoubtedly refined with the help of his new training partner, Alexander Volkanovski, who knows Islam’s timing and entries well. JDM will rely heavily on lateral movement and quick pivots to stay off the cage, denying Islam the opportunity to initiate his powerful cage wrestling. When Makhachev shoots for a takedown, JDM will employ sharp, short counters (uppercuts and hooks) aimed at forcing Islam to pause or abandon the attempt.

Makhachev’s strategy will be built on his Sambo and wrestling, focusing on early and repeated takedowns. Islam will aim to close the distance deceptively, using a volume of feints and powerful leg and body kicks to occupy JDM’s mind before executing a sudden level change. The move up to welterweight means Islam can commit fully to the grappling exchange, using his superior physical strength to establish heavy top control.

Full Card

Jack Della Maddalena (C) vs. Islam Makhachev – Welterweight Title Bout

Valentina Shevchenko (C) vs. Zhang Weili – Women’s Flyweight Title Bout

Sean Brady (#2) vs. Michael Morales (#8) – Welterweight Bout

Leon Edwards (#4) vs. Carlos Prates (#9) – Welterweight Bout

Beneil Dariush (#9) vs. Benoît Saint Denis (#13) – Lightweight Bout

Prelims

Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira – Middleweight Bout

Roman Kopylov (#15) vs. Gregory Rodrigues – Middleweight Bout

Erin Blanchfield (#4) vs. Tracy Cortez (#8) – Women’s Flyweight Bout

Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Cody Haddon – Bantamweight Bout

Kyle Daukaus vs. Gerald Meerschaert – Middleweight Bout

Pat Sabatini vs. Chepe Mariscal – Featherweight Bout

Angela Hill (#12) vs. Fatima Kline – Women’s Strawweight Bout

Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric McConico – Middleweight Bout