Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev kept things respectful on the microphone, but their tense faceoff after the UFC 322 pre-fight press conference showed exactly how serious both men are heading into Saturday’s main event.
As the welterweight champion and the former lightweight king stepped forward on stage at Madison Square Garden, they met nose-to-nose with zero hesitation. There were no shoves, no trash talk, no smiles. Instead, both fighters locked in a cold, unbroken stare, setting the tone for a championship fight filled with pressure and momentum.
Dana White initially stepped aside to allow the photographers a clean shot, but the moment he did, the tension spiked. Della Maddalena and Makhachev refused to turn toward the cameras when instructed, keeping their eyes locked on each other. White had to jump back between them quickly, placing his arms out to avoid any sudden clash.
Even after each man was handed a championship belt — with Makhachev receiving one symbolically despite vacating his lightweight title earlier this year — Della Maddalena continued to stare directly at him. Makhachev remained stone-faced, matching the Australian’s intensity until the two finally separated and exited the stage.
Saturday marks Della Maddalena’s first defense of the welterweight title after defeating Belal Muhammad in May. The Australian enters the fight on an eighteen-fight win streak and has been one of the UFC’s most efficient finishers since arriving in the promotion.
For Makhachev, the moment represents the next chapter of an already elite career. After four dominant lightweight title defenses, he now chases history by attempting to capture a second belt at welterweight. If successful, he will become the eleventh fighter in UFC history to win titles in two divisions.
The tension at the faceoff showed just how much is at stake. Both men appear locked in mentally, physically, and emotionally, ready to settle everything inside the octagon at UFC 322.
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