Overview

• Dana White announced that Makhachev will challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15.
• Makhachev relinquished the 155-pound belt earlier this year after signaling a move to 170 pounds, where Della Maddalena ascended by defeating Belal Muhammad in May and remains unbeaten in the UFC.
• Manager Ali Abdelaziz reinforced the booking on Submission Radio, saying the fight is done and voicing strong confidence in the outcome.
• Abdelaziz said a Makhachev–Khamzat Chimaev superfight "will never happen," citing Chimaev’s size, regional ties between the fighters, and the middleweight contenders Chimaev is expected to face.
• Abdelaziz also said Chimaev indicated he won’t fight again until 2026, with Reinier de Ridder instead booking Anthony Hernandez for Oct. 18 in Vancouver after an October title defense failed to materialize.