Overview
- UFC 322’s main event pits welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is moving up in weight to chase a second UFC belt.
- Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel that he expects Della Maddalena to knock out Makhachev, possibly in the second or third round, a prediction that drew mixed reactions after circulating on X.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov described Della Maddalena as a very tough opponent and said Makhachev just wrapped an 11-week camp with added size but never above 200 pounds, noting they expect a hard fight.
- Former champion Dricus du Plessis publicly picked Makhachev, arguing the long camp built the right size and strength for 170 and that Makhachev will transition effectively to the higher division.
- While many observers forecast Makhachev to become a two-division champion, analysts still view the matchup as close given Della Maddalena’s skill set and resolve shown in his win over Belal Muhammad.