UFC 322 – Della Maddalena vs Makhachev predictions, betting tips and odds: Main event to go the distance
UFC 322 date, start time & TV info
Date Sunday, November 16
Starts Prelims 1am; main card from 3am
Venue Madison Square Garden, New York
TV TNT Sports Box Office (£19.99 PPV)
They say that if you can make it in New York then you can make it anywhere, and the fighters on a stacked UFC 322 card will be hoping that well-worn adage rings true this weekend.
A welterweight title fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhacev is the main course at Madison Square Garden but the appetisers are just as tasty, with Britain’s Leon Edwards among those fighting on the undercard in New York.
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UFC 321 betting tips & predictions
Best bets
Over 3.5 rounds in Della Maddalena vs Makhachev
2pts 10-13 bet365
Weili Zhang to win
1pt Evs bet365
Carlos Prates to win by KO, TKO or DQ
1pt 7-4 bet365
UFC 322 preview
The spiritual home of combat sports plays host to UFC 322 this weekend as Islam Makhachev takes on Jack Della Maddalena at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
Makhachev is bidding to become a two-weight champion in the Big Apple as he steps up from lightweight to face welterweight king Della Maddalena, who picked up the title by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May.
Muhammad’s grappling game was nullified by Della Maddalen, who was able to defend two-thirds of the American’s takedown attempts (six of nine) and considerably outstrike him on his feet.
The Australian’s boxing has been key to him remaining undefeated in eight fights since joining the UFC in 2019, with four of his victories coming inside the distance.
Makhachev also brings elite grappling credentials to the octagon, with the sambo wrestler hailing from the Nurmagomedov family in Dagestan.
The 34-year-old has registered eight submission wins in his 16 in the UFC, including in his most recent two victories over Renato Moicano and Dustin Poirier.
Makhachev has also evolved his kickboxing style and went toe to toe with Poirier for almost five rounds, while his nasty head-kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in October 2023 showed how devastating his stand-up game can be, too.
He looks well in his welterweight frame but Makhachev’s speed and strength at the weight will remain an unknown until he gets to grips with Della Maddalena in New York.
They are both elite fighters and the championship rounds will likely be needed to decide matters at the Garden.
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China’s Zhang Weili (right) will take some stopping in New YorkCredit: AFP via Getty Images
A stacked card also features a co-main event that sees former women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang bid to become a two-division champ in her own right against flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko.
The pair are first and second in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings and, as with Makhachev, how Zhang copes in a higher weight class will be the determining factor.
The Chinese fighter is a powerful, high-volume striker compared to Shevchenko, which may be in full show in the early rounds.
Shevchenko has shown herself to be elite in every facet but she has faced more recent adversity in a 2023-24 trilogy with Alexa Grasso and a tough fight with Manon Fiorot last time out.
It should be close but Zhang could benefit from going up a weight division and is fancied to secure double championship status.
Edwards could play into Brazilian’s hands
The UFC always brings a stacked card to New York and British ace Leon Edwards bids to end a two-fight losing skid when he faces dangerous Brazilian Carlos Prates on the undercard.
Edwards last fought a three-round fight in 2019, and although he has been tasked with a series of grapplers of championship class recently, the 34-year-old may still find things tough against Prates.
The Brazilian’s only UFC defeat came in a short-notice five-round fight with Ian Macadho Garry and he has dismantled all of his other opponents inside six minutes.
Edwards has to throw caution to the wind if he wants to re-enter the title picture in a red-hot welterweight division, which could play into the hands of devastating Prates.
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UFC 322 card details
Here is the main card for UFC 322, headlined by Jack Della Maddelana vesrus Islam Makhachev:
FightWeightJack Della Maddalnea vs Islam MakhacevWelterweightValentina Shevchenko vs Zhang WeiliWomen’s flyweightSean Brady v Michael MoralesWelterweightLeon Edwards v Carlos PratesWelterweightBeneil Dariush vs Benoit Saint DenisLightweight
FAQs
When is UFC 322?
UFC 322 will take place in the early hours of Sunday, November 16 UK & Ireland time.
Where is UFC 322 being held?
The iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, is the venue for UFC 322.
How can I watch UFC 322?
Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch via TNT Sports pay-per-view service. The fight is priced at £19.99.
What is the fight betting for Della Maddalena vs Makhacev?
Welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena is a 5-2 outsider to retain his title against 4-11 Islam Makhacev.
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