Overview
- Islam Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 to claim the welterweight belt, making him a two-division UFC champion.
- Arman Tsarukyan praised Makhachev’s dominant display, said he was shocked by how one-sided it was, and headlines UFC Qatar against Dan Hooker in a five-round main event as a heavy betting favorite per ESPN analysis.
- Tsarukyan, who withdrew from a January title bout with Makhachev due to a back injury, says he plans to stay at lightweight for two to three years to chase records while Ilia Topuria holds the 155-pound title after stopping Charles Oliveira in June.
- Ian Machado Garry, facing Belal Muhammad in the co-main in Doha, is campaigning for a shot at Makhachev and has questioned Kamaru Usman’s suitability as the next challenger.
- Post-UFC 322 discussion highlights multiple welterweight contenders—Michael Morales, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Carlos Prates—with some analysts suggesting Usman as a viable Makhachev defense as the division’s order is reset.