Overview

• UFC confirms welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena will face former lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev atop UFC 322 on November 15 at Madison Square Garden.
• BetOnline’s line has moved from Makhachev -200 and Della Maddalena +170 in May to roughly -230 and +195, respectively, reflecting growing confidence in the challenger.
• Makhachev vacated the 155-pound belt after four defenses to pursue a second title at 170 pounds, a move that could reshape pound-for-pound debates if he wins.
• Robert Whittaker picks Della Maddalena and highlights his underappreciated jiu-jitsu, Michael Bisping calls the widening odds disrespectful, and Colby Covington leans Makhachev but concedes an upset is possible.
• Camp narratives sharpen the stylistic stakes—Makhachev’s elite wrestling versus Della Maddalena’s size, boxing and boosted grappling work with Craig Jones—while a viral clip shows Makhachev vowing, “November 16, I will rest.”