History in the Big Apple

Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev via UFC

Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev

This Saturday, the UFC returns for its annual New York City card. This is, without a doubt, the deepest card in 2025, and with that, lots to break down. So without further ado, let’s take a deeper dive.

In the main event, the greatest lightweight in UFC history, Islam Makhachev, aims to cement his legacy as an all-time legend by securing double-champion status against the newly crowned welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena.

After securing his fourth title defense, the most in lightweight history, Islam Makhachev decided that he’d done all he needed to do in the 155-pound weight class. With victories over Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, Dan Hooker, and Renato Moicano, Islam decided to move on.

This was a long-awaited decision for Makhachev, and with his training partner and friend, Belal Muhammad dominating the weight class above, he was unable to fight for the belt. However, after UFC 315, with the newly crowned welterweight champion, Makhachev didn’t hesitate to vacate his throne.

Now, Islam sits on the edge of history, looking to become the eleventh fighter in UFC history to be champion in two different weight classes. This has been a goal for the Russian ever since he joined the UFC, looking to exceed the accolades of his successor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Now, he’s only one victory away from fulfilling that prophecy.

On the other side stands a fighter who's had to scratch and claw for everything he’s earned. Jack Della Maddalena is the third UFC champion ever to come out of Australia, and he’s looking to remind the world why he’s the 170-pound champion. Della Maddalena is coming off the performance of a lifetime, defeating former champion Belal Muhammad by a dominant decision. JDM was the heavy underdog entering the contest, with fans questioning the caliber of his resume in justification for a title shot.

JDM is riding an 18-fight win streak, with victories over Belal Muhammad, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, and Randy Brown, and although these wins are impressive, they’re incomparable to his counterpart's resume.

So, this begs the question: Is JDM in over his head fighting Islam Makhachev?

Tactically speaking, many fans are billing this contest as a “striker versus grappler” matchup. This is far from the truth. Islam Makhachev has proven that his striking is elite, going toe-to-toe with all-time greats like Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. His hands are quick, and his kicking game has made tremendous strides.

On the other side, JDM is arguably the best boxer in the UFC. His ability to use footwork to create unique angles is second to none, and these skills were on full display in his last contest.

Ultimately, though, Islam Makhachev is a beast JDM has never encountered. Makhachev has the best wrestling in all of mixed martial arts. Not only that, but his jiu-jitsu game is impeccable, with various submissions in his repertoire, whether it be his rear-naked choke, arm bar, or d’arce choke. This will be the path to victory for Islam. He will need to put JDM on the back foot, pushing him to the fence and engaging in clinch work before securing takedowns.

Once the fight hits the mat, the question everyone’s asking is, can JDM get back up? In his last fight, JDM successfully defended against virtually all takedown attempts, demonstrating significant improvement in the wrestling department.

Despite both fighters' progress, the game plan remains relatively simple. If JDM keeps the fight on the feet, in boxing range, he’ll find victory. If Islam can take down and suffocate Della Maddalena, the fight will conclude quickly.

Regardless of the outcome, the winner of the main event will cause some uncomfortable discussions.

Will Makhachev immortalize himself in UFC history, or will Della Maddalena shock the world?

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili

In the co-main event, we have another historic contest, as former women’s strawweight champion and legend, Zhang Weili, looks to become the second woman ever to secure belts in two weight classes. Standing across from her is arguably the women’s GOAT, Valentina Shevchenko.

For the first time in a long time, this is a fight that will shake up the women's MMA world.

After defending her title for the third time, Weili found herself at a crossroads. With no contenders left to fight, and a potential superfight a weight class up, Weili made the bold decision to vacate her 115-pound title to pursue greatness.

On the other side stands a fighter who epitomizes the concept of domination. Outside of her three-fight series with Alexa Grasso, Shevchenko hasn’t lost a fight in eight years. The assassin possesses a well-rounded skill set, with elite Muay Thai skills complemented by exceptional jiu-jitsu. Tactically speaking, the fight is chaos versus class.

Weili possesses freakish power for her size, and her ability to enter into frantic exchanges and find the fight-ending shot is a threat. Shevchenko, on the other hand, is calculated. She takes her time, methodically chopping fighters down like trees before finding the fight-ending shot. Her technique is the best we’ve ever seen, and when paired with her fight IQ, it explains why she’s been a champion for eight years.

For Weili, she will need to get on the inside, use dirty boxing to muck up the fight, and hopefully find the knockout blow.

For Shevchenko, she’ll need to be dialed in for twenty-five minutes. She’ll likely be on the back foot, circling the cage, jabbing and poking at her opponent before finding the finishing strike.

This is the most anticipated women’s fight in UFC history, and the winner may just be able to call themselves the greatest female fighter of all time.

Sean Brady vs Michael Morales

In the featured bout of the evening, a pivotal matchup takes place in the welterweight division between Sean Brady and Michael Morales.

Safe to say, whoever wins this fight will be next in line for a title shot. Stylistically, this is a striker versus wrestler contest. Outside of a minor blemish to the former champion, Sean Brady possesses a flawless record. The American possesses suffocating grappling, and his last two contests attest to that, as he defeated both Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns. Similar to Makhachev, Brady’s wrestling skills are amongst the UFC’s best, and it’s no secret what tactics he’ll implement.

On the other side stands a fighter who finds himself at a crossroads. Standing six feet tall, Morales is massive for the 170-pound weight class. The undefeated fighter possesses technical kickboxing skills, and with nine first-round finishes, Morales is a threat from the opening bell. Despite this, we’ve never seen his grappling tested, and going up against arguably the best wrestler in the UFC, Morales will need to demonstrate takedown resistance.

If Brady can take the fight to the ground, he will virtually be guaranteed victory. However, if Morales can keep the fight at range, keep Brady on the back foot, and negate his wrestling, he may add another highlight reel knockout to his resume. 

Leon Edwards vs. Carlos Prates

In the fourth fight down, another critical welterweight matchup takes place, between former champion Leon Edwards and fan-favourite, Carlos Prates.

Like many fighters on this card, Edwards finds himself at the tipping point of his career. The former welterweight champion is on a two-fight losing streak, having lost his title to Belal Muhammad and before being dominated by Sean Brady.

However, there’s a bright side. Since 2022, Edwards has only fought wrestlers. Having faced Kamaru Usman twice, Colby Covington, Belal Muhammad, and Sean Brady, Edwards now finally finds himself against an opponent with similar traits. 

On the other side, Carlos Prates finds himself knocking on the doorstep of welterweight contention. Despite the division being deeper than ever, what separates Prates is his stardom. Fighting out of the popular Fighting Nerds Gym, Prates has generated a massive online following. At the end of the day, the UFC is a business, and when personality combines with highlight reel knockouts, Dana White tends to favour them. 

Stylistically, this is a dangerous fight for Edwards. We already know what he brings to the table. His kicking game is among the best, and his technical skills are his most significant advantage. But one thing that has bitten Edwards for the majority of his career is his footwork. Edwards often finds himself moving straight back to avoid danger, unable to create angles or get out of harm's way. Against a fighter like Prates, if you give him a standing target, he will find the finish.

Prates needs to walk Edwards and look for the patent left straight. If Prates lands, the fight is over, simple as that. But if Edwards can rely on his championship experience, drag the fight into the latter rounds, and outpace Prates, he will be set up for victory.

Beneil Dariush vs. Benoît Saint-Denis

Finally, the opening fight on the main card features Beneil Dariush versus Benoit Saint-Denis.

This is an intriguing matchup for the lightweight scene. Dariush looked like he was on his way out the door, with back-to-back first-round knockout losses; however, after defeating a surging Renato Moicano in his last fight, Beneil reminded fans that he is still a threat.

Similarly, Saint Denis also seemed to have fizzled out. After losing to Dustin Poirier and being dominated by Renato Moicano, the hype behind the Frenchman vanished. However, he bounced back with an impressive victory over Maurício Ruffy, and he is now back on the doorstep for lightweight contention.

This bout should be a grappling battle. Both athletes possess an elite ground game, and coupled with the power they both have in their hands, this is the perfect matchup to open up a historic card.

One way or another, history will be made at Madison Square Garden. New York is the city where dreams come true, and for the athletes fighting on UFC 322, this is their chance to achieve greatness. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will crack under the bright lights?