This is the UFC 322 live blog for Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev, the welterweight championship main event bout Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Makhachev is No. 1 in MMA Fighting’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings, while Della Maddalena stands at No. 8.
Della Maddalena (18-2) won the welterweight title this past May with a thrilling decision win over Belal Muhammad. For his first defense, he takes on Makhachev, the former lightweight king who has not lost a fight since 2015. Then again, “JDM” has been on an incredible run himself, going 8-0 in the UFC to extend his current win streak to 18. After losing his first two pro bouts, Della Maddalena found a winning formula and hasn’t looked back.
For Makhachev (27-1), this is his chance to join the ranks of the immortals as he seeks to become a rare two-division champion. Makhachev continued the legacy of close friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov at lightweight, winning the title in 2022 and successfully defending it four times, a UFC record. This isn’t his first time participating in a championship superfight. Two of his defenses came against featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski; this time, Makhachev is the one moving up and looking to prove that size doesn’t matter.
Check out the UFC 322 live blog for Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev below.
Hey JDM, you just won the welterweight title and your first test? The pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.
But you know what, if Della Maddalena pulls this off, that immediately takes him to another level of stardom.
And if Makhachev takes care of business, he might have a case to pass his mentor Khabib on the all-time list.
Makhachev a huge favorite at -320, while Della Maddalena is an intriguing underdog at +260.
Herb Dean the third man in the cage for the main event.
Makhachev with a low leg kick. Della Maddalena immediately in throwing heavy, Makhachev circles out of danger. Della Maddalena jabs the body. Beautifully timed takedown by Makhachev and he gets it. This is Makhachev’s world now.
Della Maddalena has Makhachev in half guard, so he’s not in much danger, but he’s also not able to move much. Della Maddalena forces a scramble, Makhachev takes the back, but it’s not secure. Della Maddalena just muscling up to his feet, Makhachev stays heavy and gets him back down. Makhachev on top once more. Della Maddalena fighting Makhachev’s arm, but Makhachev gets it free and lands a few short punches. There’s a hint of a choke from Makhachev, but it’s blocked. Makhachev controls and takes the first round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev.
Outside leg kick from Makhachev. That looked familiar. He almost catches a JDM leg, but Della Maddalena pulls it back. Makhachev with another leg kick. Makhachev slips in an uppercut, but Della Maddalena responds with a short counter and Makhachev goes to grapple. Trip by Della Maddalena, Makhachev blocks and ends up on top. He’s smothering Della Maddalena against the fence. Short elbows from Makhachev.
Makhachev refuses to let JDM move. Another short elbow lands. Crowd boos, but what do they want? Makhachev is dominating. He’s sticking that elbow in Della Maddalena’s face. Not a fun fight. Makhachev utilizing an arm-triangle grip to pass, he lands some more ground-and-pound. Della Maddalena manages to stand as the round ends.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 20-18 Makhachev.
Makhachev with a 1-2, Della Maddalena answers with a jab. Hard leg kick from Makhachev. Another leg kick hurts Della Maddalena. He looks so hesitant to throw even as he comes forward. Makhachev lands a right. Della Maddalena gets inside and cracks Makhachev with a few body shots. Big shot from Makhachev and he instantly has Della Maddalena on his back. Almost looked promising for JDM there.
Makhachev back to working in Della Maddalena’s half guard. This has been his home in this fight. There’s little JDM can do in this position, he’s not close to scoring a sweep or initiating any offense from bottom. Makhachev mixing in more than enough ground-and-pound to prevent a standup. Della Maddalena trying to power up from bottom and he can’t move an inch. Desperate attempt by Della Maddalena to reverse position and even then, Makhachev ends up back on top.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 30-27 Makhachev.
Della Maddalena flicking out strikes, Makhachev doesn’t look concerned. Makhachev smacks him with a body kick. Della Maddalena struggling to pull the trigger. Good leg kick by Makhachev. He shoots in on a double leg and even with JDM anticipating it, the result is the same: Della Maddalena down, Makhachev on top.
Desperate scramble by Della Maddalena and the situation only gets worse as Makhachev ends up on his back. Makhachev with a body triangle that has JDM’s arm trapped, but fortunately for him, he frees it before Makhachev can hunt for a choke. Back to fighting in half guard. Complete smothering. Four in the bank for Makhachev.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Makhachev. Overall, 40-36 Makhachev.
Della Maddalena looks completely demoralized coming out of his corner. He throws a few punches to start, but Makhachev smells blood and takes him down immediately. Almost a whole round to go. Welp.
Makhachev with a kimura attempt. JDM doesn’t give it to him. So he can take pride in that at least. Della Maddalena just smushed underneath Makhachev. It almost looks like Della Maddalena is shrinking with each passing second. This is a miserable first title defense. Makhachev cruising inside of JDM’s half guard.
