UFC 322: Jack Della Maddalena Vs. Islam Makhachev Announced

UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena will put his title on the line against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 on November 15. 

Dana White announced that the card will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Della Maddalena, who is making his first title defense, won the belt after defeating Belal Muhammad in May at UFC 315 via a unanimous decision. He managed to get Belal involved in a striking battle, away from his strengths as a grappler, to secure his best win. The defeat allowed Makhachev to move up in weight, as he previously ruled it out as Belal was the champion and his friend. 

The co-main event will feature a women’s flyweight championship bout between reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko and former strawweight champion Zhang Weili, who is moving up in weight. Shevchenko last defended her title with a win over Manon Fiorot at UFC 315, while Weili successfully defended her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in February.

Also on the card is a welterweight clash between Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates. Edwards is coming off two consecutive losses, including a defeat to Sean Brady in May. Prates, on the other hand, is coming off a knockout win against Geoff Neal at UFC 319 this month.

Announcement

“This is the definition of a superfight. Champion versus champion, Madison Square Garden. Jack has won 18 fights in a row, just beat Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title. (While Islam) has decided to take his 15-fight win streak and move up in an attempt to become one of the few fighters in UFC history to win belts in two divisions,” White said