The high-stakes welterweight bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev will headline UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden, New York.
- Jack Della Maddalena faces Islam Makhachev in a welterweight main event at UFC 322, held November 15 at Madison Square Garden, New York.
- Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion, moves up a division seeking a second belt in a new weight class.
- Maddalena enters on an impressive win streak, showcasing world-class boxing and precision striking.
- Makhachev brings elite grappling, suffocating pressure, and submission skills honed under the Dagestani wrestling system.
- Both fighters’ styles collide in one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, a test of control versus chaos inside the Octagon.
Main Event Odds
Jack Della Maddalena: +220
Islam Makhachev: -270
Full Fight Card Odds
- 170 lbs.: Jack Della Maddalena (+220) vs. Islam Makhachev (-270)
- 115 lbs.: Valentina Shevchenko (-105) vs. Zhang Weili (-115)
- 170 lbs.: Sean Brady (-125) vs. Michael Morales (+105)
- 170 lbs.: Leon Edwards (+155) vs. Carlos Prates (-185)
- 155 lbs.: Beneil Dariush (+175) vs. Benoît Saint Denis (-210)
On November 15, Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev square off in the welterweight main event of UFC 322. Makhachev makes his eagerly awaited promotion from the lightweight class to take on one of the sport’s most potent strikers at Madison Square Garden in New York, USA.
At -270, Makhachev is the clear favorite to win. With his grappling-heavy style and superior fight IQ, the Russian champion, who is 27-1 in his professional career, has dominated the lightweight division. At 170 pounds, he now aims to broaden his legacy to take on more formidable opponents.
Della Maddalena is the underdog going into this matchup at +220. The Australian challenger has a strong record inside the UFC octagon and is 18-2 overall in his professional career. JDM, a shrewd boxer renowned for his unmistakable counterattacks and poise under duress, wants to demonstrate that timing and accuracy can triumph over the constant pressure of a Dagestani grappler.
Makhachev, 30, has a height of 5 feet 10 inches and a reach of 70.5 inches. At 58 percent accuracy, he averages 2.63 significant strikes landed per minute, but he only absorbs 1.55 per minute. With an average of 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, 53% accuracy, and 90% takedown defense, he continues to have one of the best takedown games in the UFC. His ability to move fluidly from control to finishing positions is further demonstrated by his impressive 1.13 submissions per 15 minutes.
With a 73-inch reach, the 5-foot-11-inch Della Maddalena gives the welterweight class a bit more range and natural size. He has a 67% knockout rate, and clean, technical boxing combinations have been the mainstay of his victories. The Australian has mastered timing and defensive movement, and he has excellent balance, footwork, and shot selection.
Both competitors have some momentum and confidence going into UFC 322, having recently won. The bout, which takes place on one of the largest stages in mixed martial arts, features one of the sport’s most fascinating contrasts: Makhachev’s elite grappling and control versus Della Maddalena’s accurate striking and forward pressure.
Tale of the Tape
Despite having quite different physical and stylistic profiles, both fighters will enter this fight in an orthodox stance. Islam Makhachev is 5’10” with a 70.5-inch reach, while Jack Della Maddalena is 1 inch taller at 5’11” and has a 2.5-inch reach advantage. Both have the same 40.5-inch leg reach and weigh in at the welterweight limit of 170 pounds.
Makhachev is among the most technically proficient fighters in contemporary mixed martial arts. Constant pressure, fluid chain wrestling, and ground control are the cornerstones of his style. Through clinch control and top pressure, he methodically depletes opponents with exceptional takedown efficiency and defensive awareness. The Russian is now competing at welterweight to see if his signature power and speed can hold up against fighters who are inherently bigger.
Conversely, Della Maddalena is the quintessential small, quick-handed striker with knockout accuracy. His timing in counterattacks and boxing fundamentals have set him apart from the other fighters in the division, he typically dictates range with body combinations and feints. When he is composed, the Australian fighter can carefully select his shots while moving forward, which could put Makhachev’s rhythm and entries to the test.
It will be difficult for Makhachev to close distance on a rangy, technical striker like JDM, even though his grappling is still his most obvious path to victory. Meanwhile, Della Maddalena’s takedown defense and cardio will determine whether he can continue the fight.
Both men are known to remain composed in the face of criticism because they are patient and disciplined. A true stylistic clash pits Australia’s accuracy against Dagestan’s control, with a single, tiny opening potentially making the difference.
Fighting Styles
Jack Della Maddalena enters every fight with a sophisticated boxing foundation. Short combinations, sharp counters, and smooth head movements are the foundation of his impressive rhythm. Before applying more pressure in the pocket, the Australian typically starts out slowly and reads opponents. His ability to hit the body early in a fight creates the chance for clean shots upstairs later. Mid-range exchanges, where he can precisely control timing and placement, are ideal for JDM.
He has rarely overcommitted or let his guard down, remaining calm in the face of criticism. He punishes counters and uses subtle feints to entice reactions. His most dangerous moments appear to occur when he slips inside and uses his lateral movement against aggressive, forward-pushing opponents. Training with elite grapplers like Craig Jones and Alexander Volkanovski has improved his awareness in scramble situations, even though he is still working on his takedown defense.
Islam Makhachev has a comprehensive, system-based fighting style that has its roots in Dagestani wrestling. He moves fluidly between grappling and striking, frequently combining body pressure, level changes, and low kicks to open takedown positions. Instead of using raw damage to control the pace when grounded, Makhachev uses positional dominance to wear opponents down before pursuing submissions. He still has some of the best timing in MMA today for both chain wrestling and entries.
The Russian champion keeps improving his striking, especially his left counters and front kicks. His stand-up is primarily used to set up clinch work and trips along the fence; he is not a true volume striker. Makhachev’s strong base, superb balance, and patient setups, along with his excellent defensive fundamentals, enable him to control the location of fights. His success against numerous opponents in a variety of styles has largely been attributed to his poise and capacity to quell chaos.
Path to Victory
The best way for Jack Della Maddalena to win is to continue the battle. With precise boxing and steady body work, he should try to control distance so Makhachev is forced to exchange rather than shoot. When facing a counter grappler like Islam, the Australian’s capacity to apply pressure without going overboard will be essential. Della Maddalena’s volume and accuracy may eventually start to wear down his opponent if he can force striking exchanges and stuff early takedowns.
It should work in Della Maddalena’s favor the longer the fight continues. He is effective in deep rounds because of his poise and shot choice, especially when opponents slow down. By alternating levels with jabs and body hooks, he could create scoring opportunities and further throw off Makhachev’s rhythm. He might be able to set the tempo and pace by controlling the center of the Octagon and employing feints to elicit reactive takedown attempts.
The strategy is still in line with Islam Makhachev’s wrestling experience. He must pressure JDM against the fence, chain takedown attempts, and close distance early. Jack’s striking attack will be neutralized by clinch control and frequent level changes. Islam’s superior pressure and submission technique could lead to genuine openings if he can establish himself as the top player on the floor, particularly when he isolates limbs and passes guard. The main purpose of Makhachev’s striking is to establish grappling scenes. He could keep JDM honest on entries by using counterlefts and front kicks.
Makhachev will be able to control the terms of engagement and test Della Maddalena’s cardio by combining constant grappling pressure with threats of strikes. The Russian has the best chance of winning because of his championship-round experience and discipline in retaining positional dominance.
In the end, Makhachev’s strategy depends on pressure, control, and transitional grappling, while Della Maddalena’s strategy depends on distance control and steady output. The fighter who controls the fight’s location and whether it takes place at close range or under Dagestani pressure on the canvas will emerge victorious.
