UFC 322 arrives this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, with Islam Makhachev moving up to welterweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the title. It is a matchup that mirrors Makhachev’s first lightweight title defense, except the roles are reversed. This time it is Makhachev stepping up in weight to face a rising champion from Australia. The stakes are clear. If Makhachev wins, he strengthens his case as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. If Della Maddalena wins, he begins his own legacy with a massive victory.
How Jack Della Maddalena Can Win
At the start of the year, Della Maddalena was not expected to be in a title fight, but his performance against Belal Muhammad changed everything. He showed sharper footwork, better scrambling, and a disciplined defensive approach. Those improvements must show up again at UFC 322.
Della Maddalena’s main weapon is his boxing. He moves well, works behind a clean jab, and attacks the body better than almost anyone in the division. The body shots may be his best tool on Saturday, because they allow him to score while staying balanced and ready to defend takedowns. They also help drain Makhachev’s cardio, which has faded late in some fights.
Still, the most important key for Della Maddalena is space. If he keeps the fight in open range, his boxing becomes far more dangerous. If he gets stuck on the fence, Makhachev will find takedowns and control positions that drain minutes off the clock. Della Maddalena needs to pressure forward, force Makhachev to reset, and avoid the prolonged clinch battles where the challenger thrives.
How Islam Makhachev Can Win
Makhachev’s strength is not just his grappling. It is how well he blends every part of his game. His timing, defense, clinch attacks, and wrestling all work together. But against a dangerous boxer like Della Maddalena, the safest path to victory is still grappling.
Expect Makhachev to fight for pressure. Della Maddalena is not the quickest mover at welterweight, and if Makhachev cuts the cage effectively, he can force clinches where he has a wide range of attacks. The front headlock series and back takes may become major factors, especially because Della Maddalena has sometimes exposed his neck during scrambles.
What We Still Do Not Know
There are two major questions. How will Makhachev look at 170? And how big of a leap has Della Maddalena made since winning the belt? The answers will shape the fight and possibly shape MMA history.
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