UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev takes place on November 15, 2025. The event features one of the most compelling champion-versus-champion matchups in UFC history. Australia’s welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena looks to defend his belt for the first time, while former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moves up in search of rare two-division glory.
Jack Della Maddalena
Jack Della Maddalena (18–2) has become one of the UFC’s most technical and dangerous boxers. His style blends clean combinations, crisp counters, body work, and constant forward pressure. Since earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, he has built a standout resume that includes wins over Ramazan Emeev, Danny Roberts, Randy Brown, Gilbert Burns and a championship victory over Belal Muhammad.
Della Maddalena excels when he can control the center and dictate pace with his jab and layered feints. His accuracy is among the best in the division, and he is willing to engage in high-output exchanges without losing defensive awareness. While striking is his primary weapon, he also holds two rear-naked choke victories, showing that he can capitalize on grappling openings when opponents panic.
He enters this title defense with confidence at peak levels and with the advantage of competing on home soil in Australia.
Jack Della Maddalena – Last 5 Fights:
Win vs. Belal Muhammad, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 315, May 10, 2025 (Won UFC Welterweight Title)
Win vs. Gilbert Burns, KO (Knee and Elbows), UFC 299, March 9, 2024
Win vs. Kevin Holland, Decision (Split), UFC FN: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2, September 16, 2023
Win vs. Bassil Hafez, Decision (Split), UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva, July 15, 2023
Win vs. Randy Brown, Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), UFC 284, February 12, 2023
Della Maddalena’s keys are to keep the fight standing, punish level changes with counters and body shots, and use footwork to prevent Islam Makhachev from trapping him against the cage.
Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev (27–1) is already regarded as one of the best lightweights of all time. He arrives at UFC 322 with a dominant 14-fight win streak and multiple successful title defenses. His grappling and sambo base allow him to overwhelm opponents through positional control, relentless pressure, and clinical submissions. Over time, he has also developed reliable striking that includes a highlight head-kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.
Makhachev’s game revolves around timing entries, forcing clinches, and chaining takedowns into long periods of control. He rarely makes mistakes in transitions and can win rounds entirely through efficiency. His submission arsenal is dangerous from top position, from scrambles, and even in open space when opponents overextend.
His move to welterweight introduces new challenges related to size and power. However, his technical style historically translates well and allows him to impose his strengths even against larger opponents.
Islam Makhachev – Last 5 Fights:
Win vs. Renato Moicano, Submission (Brabo Choke), UFC 311, January 18, 2025
Win vs. Dustin Poirier, Submission (Brabo Choke), UFC 302, June 1, 2024
Win vs. Alexander Volkanovski, KO (Head Kick), UFC 294, October 21, 2023
Win vs. Alexander Volkanovski, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 284, February 12, 2023
Win vs. Charles Oliveira, Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke), UFC 280, October 22, 2022
For Makhachev, the keys are to close distance quickly, force clinch engagements, chain takedowns before Della Maddalena can establish striking rhythm, and create long stretches of top pressure.
Fight Breakdown
This matchup is a classic striker-versus-grappler conflict with championship-caliber layers. Della Maddalena will try to maintain distance, keep the fight in open space, and break Makhachev’s rhythm with jabs and body shots. If he prevents early takedowns, he can drag Makhachev into prolonged striking exchanges where his accuracy becomes a major factor.
Makhachev will aim to reduce space immediately and create scenarios where he can secure trips, singles, and body locks. Once he establishes control, his methodical top pressure and submission threats can systematically wear down the Australian champion. Even in striking, his improvements provide enough danger to force caution from Della Maddalena.
The early rounds depend on Della Maddalena’s defensive discipline and ability to keep the fight standing. The later rounds favor Makhachev if he can score takedowns repeatedly and force JDM to defend for extended sequences.
Prediction
Della Maddalena is likely to land clean, sharp shots in the opening minutes and cause Makhachev to adjust. Over time, Makhachev’s chain wrestling, positional control, and championship composure should begin to shift momentum as the fight progresses.
Once Makhachev secures consistent takedowns, his submission pathways become increasingly dangerous, especially as JDM expends energy on repeated defensive scrambles.
Prediction: Islam Makhachev defeats Jack Della Maddalena by Submission in Round 4
A victory would crown Makhachev as a two-division UFC champion and elevate him further in the pound-for-pound conversation. A win for Della Maddalena, on the other hand, would be one of the greatest moments in Australian MMA history and a career-defining triumph over a generational champion.