City Of Dreams Come True

Islam Makhachev hoists his two world titles via thebiglead.com

On November 15th, Madison Square Garden was once again the venue where history was made and odds were defied. UFC 322 was undoubtedly the card of the year, and the landscape of the entire UFC was shifted on its axis following the night's end. So, let’s break down the main card.

Islam Makhachev def. Jack Della Maddalena

In the main event, Islam Makhachev fulfilled his life’s promise, becoming the eleventh double champion in UFC history.

Heading into the contest, the question was: if Makhachev took down Jack Della Maddalena, would JDM be able to get back to his feet? It's safe to say that question was answered, and the answer was an emphatic no.

As the fight began, it was clear Makhachev had put on size since his days in the lightweight division, and he used that to full effect.

He immediately took Della Maddalena down, controlling him for the majority of the first round. In the second round, he did the same thing. Then again, in the third, the fourth, and the fifth.

As Della Maddalena sat in his corner before the final round, it was clear he had no answers for Makhachev’s ground game. The look on his face said it all. He was defeated. 

The decision was a formality, with all three judges awarding Makhachev a clean sweep on the scorecards. As the referee raised his hand, Makhachev was draped with his two world titles by none other than his predecessor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was a beautiful scene, as the family, now a UFC dynasty, celebrated in the cage. 

In his post-fight interview, Makhachev was asked about his future. The welterweight division is deeper than it’s ever been, with contenders such as Michael Morales, Carlos Prates, Kamaru Usman, and of course, the super fight with Ilia Topuria in the wings. Makhachev emphasized his desire to defend his new crown many times, and he will have no shortage of young, hungry fighters looking to knock him off.

After the fight, Dana White announced that Makhachev will, in all likelihood, reclaim his spot as the pound-for-pound king in the UFC. Currently, it doesn’t look like there are any answers for the legend. He has officially entered GOAT status.

Valentina Shevchenko def. Zhang Weili

What was hailed as the most anticipated women’s fight in UFC history turned into a one-sided domination that left fans questioning whether the matchup should have been made.

Similar to the main event, Valentina Shevchenko dominated Zhang Weili for five straight rounds.

From the jump, the size discrepancy was glaring, and Weili struggled. She was unable to enter into the pocket to create the wild exchanges she usually does, and because of this, she got anxious. With sloppy entries, she was easily countered, being taken down and dominated on the ground. Shevchenko, known for her sniper-like striking, implemented a game plan that may not have appealed to the fans, but assured her victory.

As the fight went into the championship rounds, it was clear the contest was going to end one-sidedly. Weili was unable to gain any momentum, resulting in a slow-paced fight.

Following the contest, Dana White admitted that Weili was outgunned and outsized, and she will likely move back down to the strawweight division, a division she’s ruled for years.

For Shevchenko, there are few options. With little to no contenders in the flyweight division, Shevchenko called out bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison for a super fight. If Harrison is able to defeat Amanda Nunes in their megafight, Shevchenko may get her wish to attempt double champion status.

Michael Morales def. Sean Brady

Michael Morales is here. Simple as that. For those who didn’t know him heading into UFC 322, now you do.

Morales defeated Sean Brady via first-round knockout, and the fight was never close.

Heading into the contest against one of the best wrestlers in the UFC, fans questioned whether Morales could stop Brady’s takedowns. Brady, known for suffocating opponents into submission, entered the contest with an 18-1 record, and was the sizeable favourite.

As the fight began, the size discrepancy was glaring. Standing at six feet one inch tall, Morales reminded us all that he is a gigantic welterweight.

With a seven-inch reach advantage over his counterpart, Morales used it to perfection. He fought in an extremely low stance, prepared for the takedown, and ready to counter. Morales continued to tag Brady from range, and in the final minute of the first round, he landed the knockout right hand.

Brady couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’t get close, and because of this, he participated in a striking match. Against Morales, engaging in the striking game is guaranteed to go the wrong way, and for Brady, who took a massive risk fighting the lower-level fighter, he was picked apart and bullied.

Following the fight, Morales demanded a title shot against newly crowned champion Islam Makhachev, and after his performance, he very well may be next in line.

Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards

We may be looking at the next mega-star of the UFC. Carlos Prates did precisely what he set out to do.

Heading into his fight with Leon Edwards, a former champion, Prates was clamouring for a title shot. All he had to do was put on an outstanding performance, deliver a signature knockout, and call out the champion. He did all three of those things.

In the first round, Edwards successfully controlled Prates with his grappling, and Prates looked very frustrated at the end of the first round. 

Before the fight, the two fighters had gone back and forth, jawing at each other whenever they could, and those emotions took effect in the fight.

Edwards, looking to prove his striking supremacy, let his emotions take over, diverting from the game and engaging in a kickboxing match with Prates. There might not be a single fighter who can successfully do that when standing across the octagon from Prates.

Prates caught Edwards with a straight left hand, sending him off his feet and out cold on the canvas. The roof blew off the building, and for Prates, this was the exact performance he needed to blow up his stardom.

Typically, a performance like this would warrant a title shot, but with so many hungry contenders waiting in the wings, Prates may find himself needing one more fight before a title opportunity.

Benoît Saint Denis def. Beneil Dariush

The opening fight on the main card needed all but sixteen seconds, as Benoît Saint Denis made a statement, defeating Beneil Dariush via knockout.

There isn’t much to say here.

Dariush has now suffered first-round knockouts in three of his last four contests, and his future in the UFC is looking bleak.

For Saint Denis, this was the exact performance he needed to put himself back in the upper echelon of UFC lightweights. Taking no damage in the contest, Saint Denis could look for a quick turnaround, looking to carry this momentum into a potential title opportunity.

November 15th reminded the world why mixed martial arts is such an amazing sport. You never know what will happen, how it will happen, or when it will happen, but the guarantee is that fans will be given their money’s worth. The UFC now heads to Qatar for a historic fight night card, and for an in-depth breakdown on the main & co-main events, check out our page.