UFC 322 preview: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev headlines a two-title night at Madison Square Garden

Why UFC 322 matters

UFC 322 returns the promotion to Madison Square Garden with a champion vs champion headliner and a historic women’s title clash. Former lightweight king Islam Makhachev moves up to challenge newly crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, while dominant strawweight great Zhang Weili jumps to flyweight to challenge the reinstalled 125-lb ruler Valentina Shevchenko. Between them, four elite talents with championship credentials shape two divisions at once — and the supporting cast features ranked contenders and surging prospects who can steal the show.

Main event breakdown — Della Maddalena vs Makhachev (Welterweight title)

Style snapshot

Della Maddalena is an angular, pocket-sniping striker who builds everything off a crisp jab and counter right/left to the body. He’s elite at framing with his lead hand, rolling over hooks, and finishing in the pocket with short combinations. His defensive reads and body-work investment make him a punishing five-round operator, though he’s had to answer questions about elite wrestling pressure over long minutes.

Makhachev brings the smothering top-game and chain-wrestling of the Dagestani school, now married to confident kick-boxing and left-hand counters that have produced knockdowns at championship level. The move to 170 lb should improve durability and pace but introduces unknowns around speed parity and pocket exchanges against one of the division’s sharpest boxers.

Keys to victory

• Della Maddalena: jab feints to freeze level changes; pivot off the fence and circle to his lead hand; punish entries with uppercut-to-body-hook; make underhooks a priority and break clinches quickly; keep rounds “wide” with volume and body damage.
• Makhachev: southpaw double-threats (left kick/left hand) to draw counters; use long-range shots to the legs to force the cage; finish with trips instead of singles to avoid front-headlocks; once on top, staple the far wrist and build wrist-ride into half-guard passes. Five-round top control is his win condition.

Intangibles to watch

• Size & rehydration: Makhachev’s first championship-level cut at 170 could trade speed for strength; the Aussie champion has been comfortably making 170 his whole UFC run.
• Clinch layers: Della Maddalena’s body work vs Makhachev’s knee-tap and outside-trip series — fence exchanges decide momentum.
• Southpaw dynamics: Both handle open-stance well; Della Maddalena’s rear-hand body shot vs Makhachev’s left round kick is a round-shaping battle.

Co-main event — Shevchenko vs Zhang (Women’s Flyweight title)

It’s a legacy fight: a two-time strawweight champion moving up to challenge a two-time flyweight champion. Valentina Shevchenko remains a master of range control and counter-kicking, with clinch trips and top control to bank minutes. Zhang Weili brings a complete, power-wrestling toolkit paired with explosive striking and relentless scrambling. The story is whether Zhang’s pace and physicality up a division can unseat Shevchenko’s control and shot selection over 25 minutes.

Keys to victory

• Shevchenko: win the “first contact” — check and counter kicks, then matador Zhang’s level changes to the outside angle; late-round clinch rides to secure the frame.
• Zhang: kick first to the calf and body to mute counters; double-up entries (strike to shot) and finish with mat returns; on top, prioritize damage to force scrambles instead of floating position.

Featured fights to circle

• Sean Brady vs Michael Morales (Welterweight): a classic wrestler-grappler vs undefeated pressure striker matchup with top-10 implications. The clinch and first shot defense decide who gets their game.
• Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight): former champion Edwards tests himself against the lanky Muay Thai threat Prates. Edwards’ counter left and kick-catch counters are pivotal against Prates’ knees and elbows.
• Beneil Dariush vs Benoît Saint Denis (Lightweight): veteran guile vs surging violence. Watch for D’Arce threats and left-kick wars; BSD’s pressure meets one of the division’s best scramblers.

Full UFC 322 card (bout order as listed)

Main card — PPV (10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT)

• Welterweight Title: Jack Della Maddalena (c) vs Islam Makhachev
• Women’s Flyweight Title: Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs Zhang Weili
• Welterweight: Sean Brady vs Michael Morales
• Welterweight: Leon Edwards vs Carlos Prates
• Lightweight: Beneil Dariush vs Benoît Saint Denis

Prelims — ESPN platforms (8:00 p.m. ET)

• Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs Rodolfo Vieira
• Middleweight: Roman Kopylov vs Gregory Rodrigues
• Women’s Flyweight: Erin Blanchfield vs Tracy Cortez
• Bantamweight: Malcolm Wellmaker vs Cody Haddon

Early prelims — ESPN+/FX (6:00 p.m. ET)

• Middleweight: Kyle Daukaus vs Gerald Meerschaert
• Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill vs Fatima Kline
• Featherweight: Pat Sabatini vs Chepe Mariscal
• Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev vs Eric McConico

Note: a late lightweight addition Matheus Camilo vs Viacheslav Borshchev has been reported during fight week; placement may appear on early prelims if finalized. Check the official bout order during weigh-ins.

Start times & how to watch

• United States (ET): Early Prelims 6:00 p.m., Prelims 8:00 p.m., Main Card 10:00 p.m. Saturday (ESPN platforms / ESPN+ PPV).
• New York local (ET): Same as above — it’s Madison Square Garden.
• Estonia (EET): Early Prelims 01:00, Prelims 03:00, Main Card 05:00 on Sunday, 16 November.
• Australia: Main card Sunday afternoon local (e.g., 2:00 p.m. AEDT), available via Main Event/Kayo (regional variations apply).

Odds snapshot (editorial, subject to change)

• Makhachev has opened as the betting favorite over Della Maddalena despite moving up a division — reflecting respect for his wrestling and championship form.
• Shevchenko vs Zhang sits near a pick’em — a nod to Zhang’s momentum and Shevchenko’s championship defense acumen.
• Line movement to watch: Brady–Morales and Dariush–Saint Denis, where contrasting styles create volatility as limits increase close to fight time.

Stylistic storylines the broadcast will hammer

• Can Jack deny the fence? If Della Maddalena keeps his back off the cage for ~15 of 25 minutes, his volume and body shots make a decision plausible.
• Southpaw body-kick chess: Makhachev’s left kick to the body vs Jack’s counters; whoever lands first tends to lead exchanges.
• Zhang’s pace at 125: If cardio translates up a class, Shevchenko’s counter windows shrink; if not, Valentina controls late rounds.
• Welterweight picture: Brady/Morales and Edwards/Prates could frame the next challenger queue depending on outcomes and damage.

Technical keys in two graphics (suggested visuals)

1. Strike timeline (main event): round-by-round significant strikes and takedown attempts to show momentum swings.
2. Takedown map: where along the fence takedowns occur; overlay finishes (trips vs singles) to illustrate game plans.

FAQ — UFC 322 preview

What time does UFC 322 start?

U.S. ET: Early Prelims 6 p.m., Prelims 8 p.m., Main Card 10 p.m. (Saturday). Estonia: 01:00 / 03:00 / 05:00 (Sunday).

Who is in the UFC 322 main event?

Jack Della Maddalena defends the UFC welterweight title against Islam Makhachev.

What’s the co-main event?

Valentina Shevchenko defends the women’s flyweight title against Zhang Weili.

How can I watch UFC 322?

In the U.S., ESPN+ PPV (prelims on ESPN platforms). International options vary by region; early prelims typically stream on UFC Fight Pass; Australia via Main Event/Kayo.

Which featured fights matter most for rankings?

Brady vs Morales and Edwards vs Prates at welterweight, plus Dariush vs Saint Denis at lightweight, all carry top-10 implications.